Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Jack Burton]

Agree I just dont think WR is a big need. NE never won a SB with a stud WR. They had Moss and lost that SB. Dion Branch and Welker were the guys they win SBs with ...and Edelman. Would I like a Stud WR? Sure but rather have better OGs and edge rushers. Get another good TE.

Our receivers don't suck, they just aren't Jefferson, Chase, or Nacua..... How many SBs they been to? Seattle did win one with slow Kupp and Ngigba who is a good one.

But hey if Hortiz wants to spend big on one I wont complain either. It's a team game. He has the money. OL was our downfall last season.

I don’t think they have to get an elite WR, I think they can and they can afford it. And do what you are suggesting as well. What edge rushers can they get that you want in FA? What OGs would you like them to sign? Likely a good TE to you?

[Jack Burton]

Like you, I don't think MM solves everything. But I don't believe SB teams need "elite talent" at every offensive position. In fact, most teams are doing it with Top-5 defenses. Seattle and Denver were elite defenses last year. Even though Denver didn't make the SB... they might have had Nix been healthy vs the Patriots. The Patriots didn't have "elite talent" on offense either last year.

Of those 3 teams, the most "elite offensive talent" might have been Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker.
JSN had 163 receptions, 1,758 yards, and 10 TD's in his first 2 years.
Ladd has 148 receptions, 1,937 yards, and 13 TD's in his first 2 years.

I think that you will find that QJ's numbers matchup very well against any of those team's #2WR's.
I'd take Tre Harris over those team's #3WR, too. I think he took a step in development that 2nd half of the season.
Add in the production we got from Gadsden... and the expected production we get from Hampton next year... and we are good.

In the end... I'd rather they spend free agent money and draft capital on the IOL and the defense.

I didn’t say they need elite talent at every single position. No team has that.
As I’ve said, tell me who you want them to spend on? Give your FA desires then…..

[Bolt4Knob]

Agree I just dont think WR is a big need. NE never won a SB with a stud WR. They had Moss and lost that SB. Dion Branch and Welker were the guys they win SBs with ...and Edelman. Would I like a Stud WR? Sure but rather have better OGs and edge rushers. Get another good TE.

Our receivers don't suck, they just aren't Jefferson, Chase, or Nacua..... How many SBs they been to? Seattle did win one with slow Kupp and Ngigba who is a good one.

But hey if Hortiz wants to spend big on one I wont complain either. It's a team game. He has the money. OL was our downfall last season.

The key for me is that Hortiz takes care of OL (both starters and depth), DL and Edge x 2 -- if he has that covered - his options open up. But it does start with OL, both starters and depth. Biadasz is one of 4 he needs to sign pre-draft.

For me, a guy like JF-Myers, IDL -- would be a huge upgrade over Hand. The splurge doesn't have to be WR.

[Boltnut]

My plan for Hortiz and the Chargers in free agency
1) Center - check
2) Edge -- probably Mack
3) Edge - don't want to have to rely on a draft pick. Just somebody a few steps above Dupree. If the price for Oweh is reasonable, fine. If not, move on
4) OG
5) OL depth
6) DL depth - Hand, Rankins, Lopez
7) TE - blocker type
8) sign Delshawn Phillips and back up QB


If he gets all of the above done - the draft can be what the draft is about - talent talent talent,.

As Jack points out - the Chargers are in a unique position with the cap. They are back to back 11 win seasons. So they are starting at a good spot and they have a boatload of cap space in 2026 and 2027 - even into 2028. Now, we know, a lot of 2027 and 2028 will be taken up by players signed, extended, draft classes, etc. But they have the bleeping money - -go big Hortiz. Not reckless - but big

We're real close on free agent wants. Where we differ is @Edge. I'd draft an edge in the 1st or 2nd round. An edge good enough to take over for Mack in 2027... while offering a solid 3-player rotation in 2026. That 2nd edge rusher you sign in free agency probably won't be as good as the edge you draft 1st/2nd... and you can use that free agent money on many of the positions you listed... OL depth, IDL depth...

[Bolt4Knob]

We're real close on free agent wants. Where we differ is @Edge. I'd draft an edge in the 1st or 2nd round. An edge good enough to take over for Mack in 2027... while offering a solid 3-player rotation in 2026. That 2nd edge rusher you sign in free agency probably won't be as good as the edge you draft 1st/2nd... and you can use that free agent money on many of the positions you listed... OL depth, IDL depth...

No, I am still drafting Edge - it just doesn't have to be in R1. It becomes a big time want or say a need

I just never want to be pigeon holed in the first round to draft a position. Maybe its just signing a guy like Clowney, one year, along with Mack,. Just so the Edge room has a floor going into the draft.

[Boltnut]

I didn’t say they need elite talent at every single position. No team has that.
As I’ve said, tell me who you want them to spend on? Give your FA desires then…..

1) Bring back Mack
2) Quality LG
3) Two quality IDL's
4) Quality CB or quality safety
5) Upgrades @back-up center, guard, and swing tackle.
6) Decent TE
7) Good FB

WR and a 2nd FA edge are two of the last positions I'd spend my free agent money on.
Both positions are pretty expensive (relatively) in free agency.

[jamrock]

Agree I just dont think WR is a big need. NE never won a SB with a stud WR. They had Moss and lost that SB. Dion Branch and Welker were the guys they win SBs with ...and Edelman. Would I like a Stud WR? Sure but rather have better OGs and edge rushers. Get another good TE.

Our receivers don't suck, they just aren't Jefferson, Chase, or Nacua..... How many SBs they been to? Seattle did win one with slow Kupp and Ngigba who is a good one.

But hey if Hortiz wants to spend big on one I wont complain either. It's a team game. He has the money. OL was our downfall last season.

NE had an elite defense and coach. They also had one of the best TE's to play in their second run

[Jack Burton]

1) Bring back Mack
2) Quality LG
3) Two quality IDL's
4) Quality CB or quality safety
5) Upgrades @back-up center, guard, and swing tackle.
6) Decent TE
7) Good FB

WR and a 2nd FA edge are two of the last positions I'd spend my free agent money on.
Both positions are pretty expensive (relatively) in free agency.

But tell me specifically who do you want? Who do you want at each of those positions. Either through the draft or FA.

[jamrock]

KHALIL MACK IS BACK WITH THE CHARGERS ON A 1-YEAR DEAL

[jamrock]

[Boltnut]

But tell me specifically who do you want? Who do you want at each of those positions. Either through the draft or FA.

1) Mack
2) David Edwards
3) Tim Settle and Da'Shawn Hand
4) Ifeatu Melifonwu
5) OT Ryan Van Demark, OG Brady Christensen, OC Matt Hennessy
6) TE Greg Dulcich
7) FB Reggie Gilliam

1st: Akheem Mesidor
2nd: TE Michael Trigg
3rd: RG Brian Parker
4th: LB Kyle Louis
6th: BPA

[jamrock]

Yeah, I get making “value” picks. Those are prudent and necessary when you are on a strict budget and sometimes depending on positional value, they are the best method to success for those positions.

Hortiz has a chance to crush this FA and draft and put the Chargers into serious contention for the SB these next 2 years. They’ve got a ton of money this year and next. Use it on elite talent and get the value signings too. They can afford it.

QFT. Now is the time Chef Hortiz. Get a couple of special players that keep thee other team up at night.