Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[jaguarmanftype]

They got one now as they were only a game away from SB.

To be honest, it was worth the wait for them. Jayden is going to be a contender. Imagine if they were stuck with a Baker Mayfield or even a Dak Prescott. Probably would have a bunch of .500 seasons and not much else, and they'd have been less likely to draft a replacement if they were just "good enough".

[jaguarmanftype]

I know what you're saying, but that is mostly about perceptions. How many teams in the last couple of decades have moved on from a QB because they didn't think he was "it"? And then what did they do? Take the Rams and Washington. The Rams have gotten incredibly lucky trading Goff for Stafford, but while Stafford has played well, he is probably done after this year. Goff hasn't won a SB, but he was traded to just about the worst team in football, and now they have a QB in his prime.

Washington got rid of Kirk Cousins, which was fair because he is not a championship caliber QB, but they didn't have anyone close to an NFL caliber starter for 6 seasons. That is a long time to go waiting for a franchise QB.

When teams draft a QB high, it is because the team sucks pretty bad. A good team with a bad QB is out of the running for an elite QB in the draft. But people don't seem to recognize that as these bad teams build around that young franchise QB, it takes time for the QB to develop. Bad teams with great QB can overachieve, like we did last year, and a couple of years ago when we lost to the Jags.

This year seems different. I'm not saying all the young guys getting press are all going to be superstars this season, although maybe some or all will. I just think that the Chargers are making progress developing players in a way that we haven't in the past. I think that is what is making the difference. We won't be able to tell everything tomorrow in the HOF game, but it should be a nice first baby step towards the rest of the year.

I'm just saying that in today's league, you basically already know who will be a real franchise QB in year 1 or 2 of their career. For example, Burrow, Stroud, Hurts, Daniels, Mahomes, Jackson, Allen and Purdy. These are the types that are worth long-term investments because they have deep postseason runs early in their careers. Unfortunately, a QB that takes more than 2-3 to develop into a viable postseason QB will have a ceiling, and likely to cap out at being an above average regular season QB at best. That's really been the norm, not the exception in relatively recent memory.

[Fouts2herbert]

They are also saying coming out of the draft his RAS when moved to G he was either in the high 8s or low 9s. I think he has a real shot at starting LG next year. They will give him every opportunity. Excited to see him play this preseason.

I like his college tape, I just can't project how his college tape will translate at guard in the pros...even the guys that make a living off of making these projections get this stuff wrong all the time...

[Formula 21]

In the next couple of drafts, I expect Joe Hortiz to routinely target IOL on Day 3, in the same way he's targeted DBs in his first two drafts. As expensive as Slater and Alt are, and will be, Hortiz will be challenged to find and develop cheaper talent for the rest of the O-line.

It will be great news, if Branson can be one of those guys. Salyer, too. Strength and depth are the objectives.

Reality sets in. You can’t put 5 first rounders on the OL and eat up a massive chunk of the salary cap. Cheaper, competent guys have to be found later.

[gzubeck]

Reality sets in. You can’t put 5 first rounders on the OL and eat up a massive chunk of the salary cap. Cheaper, competent guys have to be found later.

We have 4 right now excluding our center. LOL!

[Fouts2herbert]

Is it a fact that Stick and Daniel were on the team primarily because they were Herbert's friends?

of course not initially, Stick was drafted before Herbert and Chase was brought in because of his familiarity with Lombardi's offense, which is laughable to say at this point.

BUT I do believe their friendship with Herbert did play a role in both getting extended past their intended time with the team. Chase got extended past the time where Herbert still needed to learn the Lombardi offense. Well past the time that I like many here was hoping that they would sign an actual back up QB. Someone that could legitimately win us a game or two if Herbert needed to sit for a couple of games, Daniel was just not that guy. Same with Stick, he was extended twice past his rookie contract even after he had proven that he wasn't an actual viable back up. Not until Hortiz traded for Heinicke did I feel comfortable that we finally had someone that could be counted on to win a couple of games if the Chargers needed to call on them for a spell.

[dmac_bolt]

Reality sets in. You can’t put 5 first rounders on the OL and eat up a massive chunk of the salary cap. Cheaper, competent guys have to be found later.

Correction: you can’t re-sign 5 first round pro bowl OL players to second contracts. I see IOL as a big “coulda shoulda done more” area on the team.

All just my 2c and based on guessing as much as proven fact: Three decisions may prove to be tragic this year, I always remain hopeful all of the positive changes will dominate:

1. Joe and Co upgraded 1 of the 3 IOL positions. He should have brought in 2 new IOL players and then let em compete. Jmo. He made a lot of other very good moves on offense but I don’t buy the “can’t do it all in X” is a valid excuse to not bring in one more IOL. He’s sitting on surplus unused cap as you read this.

2. Gro did not entertain an open competition for LG/OC all off-season until about 4 days ago (it appears?). He decided on his B-Z plan before the first OTA and never waivered. Just like last year, he and his staff apparently couldn’t coach that shit up all through camp and are now in scramble mode. He should have had a real honest open competition the entire time and know what his starting OL will be on opening day.

3. He should have a new OL coach, its a results business and OL had poor results. Majority of IOL breakdowns were players just not doing what they were supposed to do. They did not replace two of them, so they are saying it was coaching. But the same coach is still there.

We will see if these three items derail all of the other good things the team did or if all of the other improvements prevail. I am comforted by the fact that we can win any game with Herbie The Golden God as our QB

[Javia]

Correction: you can’t re-sign 5 first round pro bowl OL players to second contracts. I see IOL as a big “coulda shoulda done more” area on the team.

All just my 2c and based on guessing as much as proven fact: Three decisions may prove to be tragic this year, I always remain hopeful all of the positive changes will dominate:

1. Joe and Co upgraded 1 of the 3 IOL positions. He should have brought in 2 new IOL players and then let em compete. Jmo. He made a lot of other very good moves on offense but I don’t buy the “can’t do it all in X” is a valid excuse to not bring in one more IOL. He’s sitting on surplus unused cap as you read this.

2. Gro did not entertain an open competition for LG/OC all off-season until about 4 days ago (it appears?). He decided on his B-Z plan before the first OTA and never waivered. Just like last year, he and his staff apparently couldn’t coach that shit up all through camp and are now in scramble mode. He should have had a real honest open competition the entire time and know what his starting OL will be on opening day.

3. He should have a new OL coach, its a results business and OL had poor results. Majority of IOL breakdowns were players just not doing what they were supposed to do. They did not replace two of them, so they are saying it was coaching. But the same coach is still there.

We will see if these three items derail all of the other good things the team did or if all of the other improvements prevail. I am comforted by the fact that we can win any game with Herbie The Golden God as our QB

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[sonorajim]

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I'll be looking for some C James and G Taylor tonight.

[Javia]

I'll be looking for some C James and G Taylor tonight.

Won't we all. Salyer too.

[Riverwalk]

Correction: you can’t re-sign 5 first round pro bowl OL players to second contracts. I see IOL as a big “coulda shoulda done more” area on the team.

All just my 2c and based on guessing as much as proven fact: Three decisions may prove to be tragic this year, I always remain hopeful all of the positive changes will dominate:

1. Joe and Co upgraded 1 of the 3 IOL positions. He should have brought in 2 new IOL players and then let em compete. Jmo. He made a lot of other very good moves on offense but I don’t buy the “can’t do it all in X” is a valid excuse to not bring in one more IOL. He’s sitting on surplus unused cap as you read this.

He did bring in 2 new IOL players. RG and Center.

[dmac_bolt]

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I already counted Mekhi as 1. If James turns out to be a decent starting OC for us, he will have brought in 2 and I’ll be corrected. Agree

If Taylor becomes a year 1 starter as a Rd 6 pick, that also would be 2. Betting the season that you’ll magically find a 6th round OL player that can immediately start is a pretty high risk strategy