Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[CanadianBoltFan]

What you need is quality position coaches, and we don't have them in our OL room. Any other competent OL coach would have moved Bozeman to LG and Zion to C, or started Kaltenberger or James in Bozeman's place already. Penning is the answer at RG in place of Becton.

Coaching matters, just compare Minter and Roman to see the disparity.

That is a valid point about Minter over Roman.

Hard to find lineman but secondary play is also critical. In the 2 years Minter has been here, there have been lots of injuries in the secondary but no matter who goes out there they generally fill in well, play well, and know their assignments. We cant say that about the offensive line. There are even some linemen who never get hurt, always play, and still make the same mistakes over and over.

[Bolt4Knob]

What you need is quality position coaches, and we don't have them in our OL room. Any other competent OL coach would have moved Bozeman to LG and Zion to C, or started Kaltenberger or James in Bozeman's place already. Penning is the answer at RG in place of Becton.

Coaching matters, just compare Minter and Roman to see the disparity.

this is a fair point

I can see Roman back but Devlin and Hardwick out as OL coaches

Hortiz STILL has to upgrade the OLine. Just look at Chicago and getting Thuney, Dalman and Jonah Jackson. It is going to cost money - but it will be worth it

The rest of the team - on offense - is pretty well set, I think even the DB room is solid

DB Room signed for next year: Hart, Still, Donte, Molden, James

WR: QJ, Tre, KLS and Ladd and I doubt Keenan will be expensive if they so choose

TE: OG, I am not sure Dissly is back but shouldn't be that expensive

RB: Omarion and Vidal, pretty solid

So the focus is really IOL and Front 7 (Edge, IDL and LB)

[Xenos]

Here’s Roman’s adjustment after the bye btw.
https://www.thepowderblues.com/forum...12#post2119812

More details about it.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...ng-candidates/

Going jumbo


Fitting for the holiday season, NFL offenses are using XL packages, with a sixth offensive lineman, more than ever before.

And it’s no coincidence.

Across the league, teams such as the Patriots, Chargers, Bills, Texans, Broncos, Lions and Miami Dolphins are making a clear statement: They trust their sixth offensive lineman more than their second or third tight end.

The logic is simple. That extra lineman is a better run blocker at the point of attack and a more reliable pass protector, especially on play-action, than most TE2s or TE3s. With defenses getting lighter and faster to survive spread offenses, coordinators are leaning back into size.

There’s also a chess-match element. When offenses roll out a sixth lineman, defenses typically respond by going base, which is exactly what offensive coordinators want. As one coordinator explained, “Base defenses mean fewer disguises, cleaner pre-snap pictures and a more predictable call sheet. We know the looks we’re getting once they force a defense out of nickel, and that’s a win for our quarterback.”

The bonus? Play-action can still hit. Linebackers have to honor real offensive line bodies.

One GM summed it up simply: “This isn’t about going old school. It’s about efficiency, clarity and control, and right now, the sixth offensive lineman is giving offenses all three.”

[Riverwalk]

this is a fair point

I can see Roman back but Devlin and Hardwick out as OL coaches

Hortiz STILL has to upgrade the OLine. Just look at Chicago and getting Thuney, Dalman and Jonah Jackson. It is going to cost money - but it will be worth it

The rest of the team - on offense - is pretty well set, I think even the DB room is solid

DB Room signed for next year: Hart, Still, Donte, Molden, James

WR: QJ, Tre, KLS and Ladd and I doubt Keenan will be expensive if they so choose

TE: OG, I am not sure Dissly is back but shouldn't be that expensive

RB: Omarion and Vidal, pretty solid

So the focus is really IOL and Front 7 (Edge, IDL and LB)

TE needs upgrade. Tyler Conklin only has a 1 year contract and I've seen nothing that warrants a resigning.

If they want to copy the best offense in the league and go 13 personnel more often, they should replace Conklin with a TE who can block and catch. Copy the best offense in the league if you're not creative enough or too stupid to do your own.

[Bolt4Knob]

TE needs upgrade. Tyler Conklin only has a 1 year contract and I've seen nothing that warrants a resigning.

If they want to copy the best offense in the league and go 13 personnel more often, they should replace Conklin with a TE who can block and catch. Copy the best offense in the league if you're not creative enough or too stupid to do your own.

I agree they need to upgrade at the TE next to OG. Not sure who that player is. Might be a draft pick. Might be a guy who costs $5m. But they have the money

[Xenos]

I agree they need to upgrade at the TE next to OG. Not sure who that player is. Might be a draft pick. Might be a guy who costs $5m. But they have the money

It’ll be a draft pick IMO. Conklin was supposed to be someone who could do both in FA, better catcher than blocker, but it obviously isn’t working.

[Bolt4Knob]

It’ll be a draft pick IMO. Conklin was supposed to be someone who could do both in FA, better catcher than blocker, but it obviously isn’t working.

Chargers have the pass catching TE - they just need the run blocker /pass catcher TE. The old school TE. So yes, a day 3 draft pick seems likely. Might bring back Fisk as well

[sonorajim]

Chargers have the pass catching TE - they just need the run blocker /pass catcher TE. The old school TE. So yes, a day 3 draft pick seems likely. Might bring back Fisk as well

Glad you mention Fisk. I believe we keep him. Gadsden, Fisk, Matlock covers both ends of the TE spectrum. I believe another big body, agile TE receiver would be welcome.

[Xenos]

TE needs upgrade. Tyler Conklin only has a 1 year contract and I've seen nothing that warrants a resigning.

If they want to copy the best offense in the league and go 13 personnel more often, they should replace Conklin with a TE who can block and catch. Copy the best offense in the league if you're not creative enough or too stupid to do your own.

I still think that 12 personnel is the best formation because defenses have a harder time telling if you’re going to run or pass. Plus, you get two WRs on the field instead of just one.

Anyways, since we can’t do that 13 personnel, it seems like best approach is the jumbo packages utilized by us and other teams right now.

[sonorajim]

I still think that 12 personnel is the best formation because defenses have a harder time telling if you’re going to run or pass. Plus, you get two WRs on the field instead of just one.

Anyways, since we can’t do that 13 personnel, it seems like best approach is the jumbo packages utilized by us and other teams right now.

Agree on the Chargers jumbo. With #6 OL declared eligible, he can be another TE. Block and/ or receive.

[Riverwalk]

I still think that 12 personnel is the best formation because defenses have a harder time telling if you’re going to run or pass. Plus, you get two WRs on the field instead of just one.

Anyways, since we can’t do that 13 personnel, it seems like best approach is the jumbo packages utilized by us and other teams right now.

I think it depends on your TE’s. Rams have 4 TE’s who block well and catch.

Since Chargers are far short of that TE talent, 12 is a better formation to get enough receivers down field. If it’s a 13 with Penning or Matlock, it’s not as threatening as the Rams.

The offseason will be interesting. Whether or not they get another quality TE will be telling about next years offensive schemes.

Personally, I’ve always been an advocate of loading up on quality TE’s, a position the Charger GM’s haven’t been prioritizing for a long time.

[sonorajim]

I think it depends on your TE’s. Rams have 4 TE’s who block well and catch.

Since Chargers are far short of that TE talent, 12 is a better formation to get enough receivers down field. If it’s a 13 with Penning or Matlock, it’s not as threatening as the Rams.

The offseason will be interesting. Whether or not they get another quality TE will be telling about next years offensive schemes.

Personally, I’ve always been an advocate of loading up on quality TE’s, a position the Charger GM’s haven’t been prioritizing for a long time.

We've had some greats, Winslow, Gates but lately not so much, TT let Henry (good) go in '21.It's been 4 years without a promising TE.