Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Chargers8491]

You and I agree, I sense, on the salient realities of free agency:

-There are a few gems, but you'll need to pay 50% plus market value--or more-- to sign.
-Beyond that free agency is mostly the island of misfit toys: guys perpetually injured, character concerns, or promising players with near-fatal flaws.

That all said...We need to fill out a roster in a year where we've got lots of cap space and little draft capital. I don't understand why our GM hasn't been willing to accept some risk/compromise for a couple of key signings to fill out roster holes.

Well, according to the rumors the Chargers were willing to spend the capital, but it was at on specific area, WR. It sounds like they made a serious run for Pierce and Shaheed but it didn't work out. When allocate those resources and the deal doesn't materialize then your kinda in a spot the Chargers are in now. By the #'s I am seeing they have around 60m in cap space, so they are going to have to spend it somewhere. I wouldn't rule out a big trade or signing soon.

The issue with most fans right now is they were expecting the Chargers to spend most of their cap at OC and OG and not WR. I got flamed several times because I mentioned Pierce as possibly being a target and was pretty much laughed at. The direction the Chargers are going and the direction the fans think they should go in are in 2 different realities.

[YAC]

Maybe it’s Jennings.

I was thinking about him last night, but neglected to share my thoughts.

If you want a team to kick the living hell out of opponents in perimeter/downfield blocking...adding Jennings to the mix would certainly achieve exactly that. Oh...and he can catch balls too.

Were we to add Jennings...The Chargers would feature:
-Two of the best mobile offensive tackles in the Biz
-Two of the best blocking wide receivers in the game: Jennings (the vicious de-cleator) and our young under-study, already elite WR youngster blocker Tre Harris
-The best blocking tight end in the game
-A supreme blocking FB in Alex-the-In-Gold.
-A Solid center w/upfield mobility
-Guards that might not impress anyone, but fit the mobile profile McDaniel wants

Hampton for 1,800 yards and Vidal for 650? Maybe. Maybe more.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

That all said...We need to fill out a roster in a year where we've got lots of cap space and little draft capital. I don't understand why our GM hasn't been willing to accept some risk/compromise for a couple of key signings to fill out roster holes.

We're in Chapter 5 of a 12 chapter book. I *get* the frustration and fear connected to a lack of splash moves and the as yet unaddressed personnel voids.

But the book isn't close to its end. The draft-- among the most important vehicles for acquiring talent-- hasn't happened yet. It stands to reason that beef, and in particular offensive beef, will be a frequently selected menu item, and that the Bolts will successfully fill some gaping holes. Does it not?

If the Chargers exit the draft will these same major vulnerabilities, they'll be running low on options to get things fixed. At that point? Fear, terror and exasperation will be logically, intellectually justified. Now? Right now, any terrifying emotional pangs are a PTSD reaction to previous trauma from prior football operations administrations.

As a psychological first responder, I would remind anyone verging on a panic disorder that Joe Hortiz is not Tom Telesco. Hortiz will not do what we became accustomed to Tom Telesco doing. Let's watch Joe do his thing. You are not as vulnerable as you feel.

[DerwinBosa]

End of the day -- in about 9 months - the Chargers will have a record. If Hortiz with Alexander and Harbaugh/ staff make this work - they will succeed
If not, and its because of Oline, Hortiz should be fired.

I have news for you, he's not getting fired.

[21&500]

I was thinking about him last night, but neglected to share my thoughts.

If you want a team to kick the living hell out of opponents in perimeter/downfield blocking...adding Jennings to the mix would certainly achieve exactly that. Oh...and he can catch balls too.

Were we to add Jennings...The Chargers would feature:
-Two of the best mobile offensive tackles in the Biz
-Two of the best blocking wide receivers in the game: Jennings (the vicious de-cleator) and our young under-study, already elite WR youngster blocker Tre Harris
-The best blocking tight end in the game
-A supreme blocking FB in Alex-the-In-Gold.
-A Solid center w/upfield mobility
-Guards that might not impress anyone, but fit the mobile profile McDaniel wants

Hampton for 1,800 yards and Vidal for 650? Maybe. Maybe more.

I'm sold.

[RTPbolt]

Im liking the Jennings option….seems like a good blocking and jump ball type fit. Does he have decent speed though?

i know im looking ahead a bit but the comp pick process seems to be for every signing made from our guys vs guys we sign that were not cut they counter eachother. The ones we have done i heard matched up to cancel eachother out but Oweh ia a big one left over in our favor for a likely 3rd rounder. We sign Jennings and that counters Oweh and we get nothing UNLESS we have another get signed that we had last year. So we really want another to get signed to help us not lose a 3rd rounder comp pick which is potentially very valuable.

[CanadianBoltFan]

We're in Chapter 5 of a 12 chapter book. I *get* the frustration and fear connected to a lack of splash moves and the as yet unaddressed personnel voids.

But the book isn't close to its end. The draft-- among the most important vehicles for acquiring talent-- hasn't happened yet. It stands to reason that beef, and in particular offensive beef, will be a frequently selected menu item, and that the Bolts will successfully fill some gaping holes. Does it not?

If the Chargers exit the draft will these same major vulnerabilities, they'll be running low on options to get things fixed. At that point? Fear, terror and exasperation will be logically, intellectually justified. Now? Right now, any terrifying emotional pangs are a PTSD reaction to previous trauma from prior football operations administrations.

As a psychological first responder, I would remind anyone verging on a panic disorder that Joe Hortiz is not Tom Telesco. Hortiz will not do what we became accustomed to Tom Telesco doing. Let's watch Joe do his thing. You are not as vulnerable as you feel.

Sounds like we have the right guy here! 😃

Just have to be mention 2 things...to clarify the angst!

The PTSD does not come from Telsco or previous football operations. The PTSD comes from watching our QB get killed and our offense very ineffective because of the offensive line that the current management has fielded in their first 2 years on the job. Hortiz and Harbaugh have got many things right, the offensive line is not one of them. There they have failed and have much to prove.

I keep hearing draft, draft, draft. Don't worry that not much has been accomplished in free agency, it will all be fixed in the draft! I just want to remind that the Chargers have among the fewest draft picks in the NFL with only 5. By contrast the Raiders have 11, the Chiefs 9, the Broncos 9. The draft is an inexact science with much out of their control, some things have to fall their way. For that reason it is never ideal to be going into a draft with multiple roster needs, especially a glaring one that protects the franchise QB

With only 5 picks, if there was ever a time for Hortiz to be a little flexible in his strategy and be active in free agency it is this off season.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Im liking the Jennings option….seems like a good blocking and jump ball type fit. Does he have decent speed though?

i know im looking ahead a bit but the comp pick process seems to be for every signing made from our guys vs guys we sign that were not cut they counter eachother. The ones we have done i heard matched up to cancel eachother out but Oweh ia a big one left over in our favor for a likely 3rd rounder. We sign Jennings and that counters Oweh and we get nothing UNLESS we have another get signed that we had last year. So we really want another to get signed to help us not lose a 3rd rounder comp pick which is potentially very valuable.

Ran a 4.7 which is why he fell to the 7th round.

He plays faster than his timed speed though and isn't bad after the catch.

[DerwinBosa]

That reeks of a little homerism Velo

If we are going to be all over the signing of a declining 35 year old Mack...not sure we should be saying a 29 year old Bradley Chubb is done

Bradley Chubb

2019: 12 games missed with a torn ACL.
2021: 10 games missed after ankle surgery.
2024: Missed entire season with another torn ACL.

He's missed 45 games in his so far eight-year career. Mack has missed 17 games in 12 years. I don't think it's homerism to say a 29-year-old with his injury history does not have his best days ahead. That's all Velo said.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Bradley Chubb

2019: 12 games missed with a torn ACL.
2021: 10 games missed after ankle surgery.
2024: Missed entire season with another torn ACL.

He's missed 45 games in his so far eight-year career. Mack has missed 17 games in 12 years. I don't think it's homerism to say a 29-year-old with his injury history does not have his best days ahead. That's all Velo said.

That is fair enough. Your point is well taken

[beachcomber]

QB * until further notice, guess we're looking at a Trey Lance rerun here
RB * will take Demond Claiborne in the draft for RB4
WR * we were fortunate to avoid the injury bug last go 'round, and as is we've got a good four to withstand a minus one, and for the if and when that might be
TE * not sure what the hold up is w/Jonnu Smith, and will feel better for the if and when he becomes a Bolt
LT * if Jamaree is not a fit, then still would like us to make a run @Josh Jones here as our backup LT
LG * was feeling fortunate that Trevor had a good game for us @RG, and thinking it might be pushing our luck to ask him to play LG, 'specially given that Strange played two years on the left side already
OC * Parker Brailsford pls, and a Bryce Foster chaser to boot, and if you don't mind
RG * penciling Penning in here, until advised otherwise, and wondering if Keylan Rutledge might not slot in here by way of the draft
RT * know he's a good guy, and John 1 & 2 am guessing are largely responsible for bringing back Trey, and of which me thinx is a mistake, right along the lines of the Boze 'n MW signings

NT * not sure who Nutty's FA of choice is here, and doubly unsure if we would spend a first rounder on a run stopper like Kayden McDonald, and given he is still on the board @22
DT * went back over my notes on Peter Woods, and one coupla few too many cautionary tales to get too excited 'bout him day one
DE * paging Da'Shawn pls
ED * so KLC is off the market, and so does that leave the door open for Kennard to assume Odafe's role, or are we lookin' to go edge rusher round one
ILB * yep, still waving the flag for CJ Allen here, and still wishing Junior the best, or do you perhaps fancy yourself as a Jacob Rodriguez isupporter
OLB * not convinced Marlowe Wax is an MLB
SAF * if we somehow land someone via the draft, my lean would be for Bud Clark
CB * guess Roger McCreary didn't make our FA wish list, as Deane Leonard is back in the fold, albeit still wouldn't mind a draft pick here, and preferably by way of Josh Moten

ST * don't get the sense that JK Scott's job security is in jeopardy

[DerwinBosa]

QB * until further notice, guess we're looking at a Trey Lance rerun here
RB * will take Demond Claiborne in the draft for RB4
WR * we were fortunate to avoid the injury bug last go 'round, and as is we've got a good four to withstand a minus one, and for the if and when that might be
TE * not sure what the hold up is w/Jonnu Smith, and will feel better for the if and when he becomes a Bolt
LT * if Jamaree is not a fit, then still would like us to make a run @Josh Jones here as our backup LT
LG * was feeling fortunate that Trevor had a good game for us @RG, and thinking it might be pushing our luck to ask him to play LG, 'specially given that Strange played two years on the left side already
OC * Parker Brailsford pls, and a Bryce Foster chaser to boot, and if you don't mind
RG * penciling Penning in here, until advised otherwise, and wondering if Keylan Rutledge might not slot in here by way of the draft
RT * know he's a good guy, and John 1 & 2 am guessing are largely responsible for bringing back Trey, and of which me thinx is a mistake, right along the lines of the Boze 'n MW signings

NT * not sure who Nutty's FA of choice is here, and doubly unsure if we would spend a first rounder on a run stopper like Kayden McDonald, and given he is still on the board @22
DT * went back over my notes on Peter Woods, and one coupla few too many cautionary tales to get too excited 'bout him day one
DE * paging Da'Shawn pls
ED * so KLC is off the market, and so does that leave the door open for Kennard to assume Odafe's role, or are we lookin' to go edge rusher round one
ILB * yep, still waving the flag for CJ Allen here, and still wishing Junior the best, or do you perhaps fancy yourself as a Jacob Rodriguez isupporter
OLB * not convinced Marlowe Wax is an MLB
SAF * if we somehow land someone via the draft, my lean would be for Bud Clark
CB * guess Roger McCreary didn't make our FA wish list, as Deane Leonard is back in the fold, albeit still wouldn't mind a draft pick here, and preferably by way of Josh Moten

ST * don't get the sense that JK Scott's job security is in jeopardy

For years I've wanted what the New York Giants had when they took out the Patriots in two Super Bowls. Multiple pass rushers in a dominant defensive line. Four defensive ends that came in on passing downs.

In 2007, it was Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and an older Michael Strahan. Their defensive tackles were good players, too--Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield. In 2011 it was Umenyiora, Tuck, Kiwanuka, and the up-and-coming Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks that year). They also had a very good defensive tackle rotation in Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, and a young Linval Joseph (in his second season).

This team has Tuli, Mack, Kennard at edge so far. Tuli really stepped it up last year. Hopefully it continues. Mack is at the end of his career. He can play a similar role to what Strahan was with the Giants in 2007 (he was 36 that season). Kennard didn't show much last season, but Tuck only had one sack as a rookie, zero in six games in his second season, and broke out with ten sacks as the third pass rusher in 2007. Umenyiora had one sack as a rookie, seven in his second season, and broke out with 14.5 in his third year. He had 13 sacks in 2007.

While I'm not expecting Kennard to be Tuck or Umenyiora, my hope is he will be a useful player in a rotation. It often takes a season or two for a player like him to develop to where he can become effective. So, going into the draft I'm hoping for a young, up-and-coming pass rusher in the first or second round. That will be a good step there. The interior defensive line isn't looking too bad for the future, with Jamaree Caldwell and Justin Eboigbe looking like they could be long-term fixtures. I would like to see a couple more defensive tackles brought in over this draft and in 2027.

Keep stacking, Hortiz. We're not too far away.