The Super Bowl showed there’s more than one way to win. A strong running game and suffocating defense can carry a team, even without offensive fireworks. With Mike McDaniel leading the offense, the Chargers may already have a proven blueprint for 2026.
Every Super Bowl seems to spark the same debate about what it really takes to win a championship. Is it elite quarterback play? Offensive fireworks? Or simply being the most talented roster top to bottom? This year’s Super Bowl reminded everyone that while explosive passing games are great, there’s still a blueprint that can carry a team even when things aren’t perfect on offense: a dominant running game paired with a suffocating defense.
Kenneth Walker’s performance was the clearest example of that formula in action. The passing game wasn’t always clicking, but it didn’t have to be. Walker controlled the pace of the game, consistently put the offense in manageable situations and wore down the defense as the game went on. That kind of run-heavy approach takes pressure off the quarterback, shortens games and keeps opposing offenses on the sideline. It’s not flashy, but it’s incredibly effective — especially in January and February.
That’s where the Chargers should see a path forward. Over the past few seasons, Los Angeles has quietly built a defense capable of competing with anyone. At their best, the Chargers have been physical, disciplined and capable of taking games over with timely stops. The problem hasn’t been defense — it’s been that the offense has too often failed to complement it. When your defense is holding teams in check but your offense can’t sustain drives or control the clock, the margin for error disappears.
Imagine what this team could look like if the offense simply became efficient and balanced. Not historically great. Not a weekly highlight reel. Just dependable. A credible running game that can dictate tempo, convert short-yardage situations and close out games would change everything. Suddenly, the defense doesn’t have to be perfect. Suddenly, one or two big mistakes don’t decide the outcome.
That’s where Mike McDaniel’s arrival as offensive coordinator in 2026 becomes especially intriguing. McDaniel’s system is built on creativity in the run game, using motion, misdirection and scheme to manufacture advantages even without overwhelming talent. We’ve seen how that approach can mirror what the Seahawks have leaned on — a strong rushing attack paired with opportunistic passing rather than relying on the quarterback to carry everything.
For the Chargers, that kind of strategy makes sense. Justin Herbert doesn’t need to throw 45 times a game for this team to win. In fact, asking him to do less — while still being deadly when it matters — might be the best way to maximize his impact. A McDaniel-led offense that leans on the run, controls possession and picks its spots through the air would mesh perfectly with a defense that’s already capable of suffocating opponents.
The blueprint is there. Strong defense. Physical running game. Smart, efficient offense. The Chargers don’t need to reinvent football to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026. They just need to fully commit to a formula that’s already proven it can win at the highest level.