The AFC West boasts multiple Super Bowl contenders. Can the Chargers survive this gauntlet and escape their division's formidable rivals?
The Los Angeles Chargers will have their work cut out for them in 2026. Ahead for the team is a difficult path, not only for pushing for a playoff run but simply escaping the gauntlet that is the AFC West.
Every division comes with its unique set of challenges, but as is the case with the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, the west division is perhaps the most dangerous and competitive in the AFC as well. The division claims two of the top Super Bowl contenders other than the Chargers.
The Denver Broncos were the AFC's top team for most of the season. And while an injury to starting quarterback Bo Nix derailed the team's bid for a Super Bowl, which saw itself cut short against the New England Patriots, the Broncos were a formidable foe in 2025. All signs point to the team returning to that form again when Nix returns.
Then there's the Kansas City Chiefs who had a similar end to their season. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes' injury solidified the team's exit from the postseason in 2025. The Chiefs were well on their way to missing the playoffs before Mahomes' injury, but the down year for Kansas City may be an outlier given their recent history.
The Chiefs, of course, have been the dynasty of the 2020s with Mahomes leading the charge. If he is healthy this year, that provides another difficult two games for the Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Raiders will be a wild card given what we don't know about how they will operate next season. There are plenty of roster deficiencies to fill, and it's uncertain what kind of draft the team will have. Yet with premier draft positioning, we could see a transformed Las Vegas team in 2026. Add in the urgency that comes with finishing last in the division and even the Raiders could pose a challenge next year.
The Chargers do have plenty of ground to make up if they want to overtake the likes of the Broncos, New England Patriots and Houston Texans, but simply navigating the division will be plenty on its own. Add in natural regression we see from some teams and winning won't come easy.
Despite the challenges there is optimism that offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel can maximize the Chargers offense. We'll see if he can help elevate the team in 2026.