As the Los Angeles Chargers head into 2026, there are three players who are facing heavy pressure to perform.
The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a solid showing in 2026 as they went 11-6 and made the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. However, after losing in dominant fashion to the New England Patriots on Wild Card weekend, head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers are hoping to change that narrative.
On that note, there are three Chargers players who facing heavy pressure to perform and help this play to its fullest potential.
1. Justin Herbert
There is no question that this Chargers team will go as far as quarterback Justin Herbert can take them and last season, he did all he could but Los Angeles still went down early in the postseason.
Throughout almost the entire 2025 season, Los Angeles had major struggles with injuries on the offensive line, which led to inconsistent play from that unit. Additionally, Herbert alos had an injury when he broke his hand about halfway through the season, but that did not stop Herbert from doing what he could to help the team win.
In 2025, Herbert totaled 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and completed 66.4 percent of his passes while adding 498 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Heading into next season, the Chargers should be much healthier, especially up front, which should help Herbert tremendously. Herbert will also have a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, who should help this offense a lot by emphasizing a balanced offensive attack through the air and on the ground.
However, as Herbert and the Chargers prepare for the 2026 season, if everyone stays healthy and Los Angeles once again falls short in the playoffs, many around the NFL may have a major question as to whether or not Herbert can lead the Chargers to postseason success.
2. Tuli Tuipulotu
The next player under pressure to perform is edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu who is heading into the final year of his rookie deal.
For Tuipulotu, the pressure is not necessarily about whether he can perform, it is mainly about if he can continue to perform consistently. Last season, Tuipulotu had his best season yet with the Chargers as he totaled 49 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Tuipulotu's 2025 campaign proved that he has the ability to be a very productive NFL player, but he does need to have similar production heading into 2026 so he can prove he can be consistent on the defensive line for the Chargers and is worth a significant extension.
If Tuipulotu can have another disruptive season like he had in 2025, he should put himself to earn a lucrative extension from the Chargers, but if Tuipulotu has an inconsistent 2026 performance, the conversations could be a lot different next offseason.
3. Quentin Johnston
The last player on this list of who is facing heavy pressure heading into 2026 is wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
Similar to Tuipulotu, Johnston is entering a crucial year as far as his contract goes. However, Johnston's situation is a bit different, as earlier this offseason the Chargers picked up his fifth-year option, which gives him an extra year under contract and will then make him an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
In terms of Johnston's performance, the 2025 season was one the best of his career as he recorded 51 receptions for 735 yards, eight touchdowns, and 27 receiving first downs. With that said, Johnston still has not had 1,000-yard season to this point in his career, but in McDaniel's offense next season he could have the opportunity to change that.
As Johnston prepares for the 2026 season, if he can eclipse 1,000 yards, that could give the Chargers the motivation they need to extend him to a long-term deal, but if Johnston has a down year, his performance during the 2027 season becomes very critical if he wants to remain with Los Angeles.
