The Official 2026 Chargers Season Discussion - (0-1)

[dmac_bolt]

I am with Electric Gold -- the Eagles made it work and they had
Hurts
Barkley
Goeddert
Dickerson
Lane Johnson
Davanta Smith
AJ Brown
Jordan Mailaata

Now Howie Roseman did some creative accounting but with Alt, Ladd, Omario, QJ, Tre, KLS , Vidal and Gadsden -- now is the time to push it on a very good OC and OG. It doesn't HAVE to be Linderbaum - -but it sure as heck CAN BE!!

Joe's got Ladd, Tre, OG, and KLS all on cheap rookie deals. that won't last forever, 2026 is the season to strike imo.

[Riverwalk]

No I am good.

Herbert is 27, the best player in this franchise and its not remotely close. Not easily replaceable.

Mack is 35, solid all round game still, 5 sacks...that is production we can replace younger and cheaper

If he isn’t doubled teamed like Mack, the younger, cheaper replacement MIGHT have better stats but then Oweh and Tuli will suffer.

And while we don’t even know if Oweh is staying folks think sacking Mack is a constructive dismissal.

[Riverwalk]

we havent won a playoff game with Jim or Joe, arguably more their fault than Herbert. sounds like a full house cleaning is in order, a clean slate. dang I didn't see that coming!

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To me: Mack is a strong edge setter, strong against the run, slightly less effective as a pass rusher than his prime, sub-par dropped in coverage. his prime is HOF caliber, slightly less does not mean not good. But edge get paid big dollars for sacks, thats just what the market says, not me. after 2 season of 5.5 and 6 sacks, I see his mark at $13-14M out of respect for his leadership and other traits.

Maybe he could stop blowing $100k a week on those player dinners and lets someone else pick up a check once in awhile to offset the reduction?

I think they will bring him back, like many - unless he says he doesn't want another run. I haven't heard him say anything either way - has he made comments about "next year"?

Mack had more sacks than J. Bosa in 2024 and 2025.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Than cut Derwin, Herbert, Alt, Tart, and Slater too because they haven’t won us a playoff game either.

This is the second time I’ve seen this playoff win criteria argument. Has drinking started early today?

Mack gets double teamed because opposing defenses consider him our most dominant pass rusher. That’s not the guy you cut.

Mack has never won a playoff game in his 12 year career, not one. Not blaming Mack at all, just pointing out that his presence isn't irreplaceable if he wont sign at a reasonable rate. there are NFL teams winning playoff games every year without Mack on the rosters. No one reason Chargers cant do the same

If you want to win those game you need a good overall roster and paying a declining 35 year old 18 million doesnt help you achieve that

Herbert, Alt, Slater and maybe Derwin are the only irreplaceable players on this roster. I am trying to keep an open mind and looking at different solutions and good cap management over sentimentality

[Boltnut]

Oweh is due a payday this off-season. Tuli is due a payday next off-season.
Why not offset that positional spending by drafting a future quality edge-rusher...?

[CanadianBoltFan]

we havent won a playoff game with Jim or Joe, arguably more their fault than Herbert. sounds like a full house cleaning is in order, a clean slate. dang I didn't see that coming!

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To me: Mack is a strong edge setter, strong against the run, slightly less effective as a pass rusher than his prime, sub-par dropped in coverage. his prime is HOF caliber, slightly less does not mean not good. But edge get paid big dollars for sacks, thats just what the market says, not me. after 2 season of 5.5 and 6 sacks, I see his mark at $13-14M out of respect for his leadership and other traits.

Maybe he could stop blowing $100k a week on those player dinners and lets someone else pick up a check once in awhile to offset the reduction?

I think they will bring him back, like many - unless he says he doesn't want another run. I haven't heard him say anything either way - has he made comments about "next year"?

That's really the whole point....Mack still brings leadership and contribution.....at the right price...he should not be paid like a top sack producer at this stage

[Riverwalk]

Mack has never won a playoff game in his 12 year career, not one. Not blaming Mack at all, just pointing out that his presence isn't irreplaceable if he wont sign at a reasonable rate. there are NFL teams winning playoff games every year without Mack on the rosters. No one reason Chargers cant do the same

If you want to win those game you need a good overall roster and paying a declining 35 year old 18 million doesnt help you achieve that

Herbert, Alt, Slater and maybe Derwin are the only irreplaceable players on this roster. I am trying to keep an open mind and looking at different solutions and good cap management over sentimentality

I don’t think it’s sentimentality.

You are projecting an imaginary player that is better and cheaper than Mack.

I’m for that too, but he doesn’t exist anywhere but your imagination right now.

And why do you and others keep harping on he’s never won a playoff game? Max Crosby hasn’t win a single playoff game either. At least Mack got his team to the playoffs two years in a row.

[CanadianBoltFan]

If he isn’t doubled teamed like Mack, the younger, cheaper replacement MIGHT have better stats but then Oweh and Tuli will suffer.

And while we don’t even know if Oweh is staying folks think sacking Mack is a constructive dismissal.

We don't know. We do know that Oweh is going to cost 19-20 million. Given is he is 27 year old ascending player entering his peak I think that has to take priority. We also have to sign Tuli to a new deal. If we sign Oweh and Tuli how do you justify 18 million again for Mack? If you dont want a shit, non functional o line again

There is only so much cap

[CanadianBoltFan]

Oweh is due a payday this off-season. Tuli is due a payday next off-season.
Why not offset that positional spending by drafting a future quality edge-rusher...?

Thats is why I am suggesting someone like TJ Parker to chip in some sacks along side Tuli and Oweh if Mack expects 18 mil again

O line must be PRIORITY ONE and it all cant come from the draft and it will cost significant cap money, cant spend it all on Edge

[Bolts4ever213]

The fact that this draft is deep with edge rushers mean we can go that route, young studs on the edge. I’m not one that wants to spend mad money on center and guard, just get the best center and draft a guard.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I don’t think it’s sentimentality.

You are projecting an imaginary player that is better and cheaper than Mack.

I’m for that too, but he doesn’t exist anywhere but your imagination right now.

And why do you and others keep harping on he’s never won a playoff game? Max Crosby hasn’t win a single playoff game either. At least Mack got his team to the playoffs two years in a row.

A GM like Hortiz has to make educated decisions.....should I blow a huge chunk of my cap on 3 edge players or save some to spend on O line and pick up a 3rd rusher in a stacked edge draft

I am sure one thing we can agree on is that the best work Hortiz has done so far is his drafting

The playoff comments are just about that there are more than one way to skin a cat. We can set up an edge room without Mack. Not like we are breaking up a room with huge playoff success. A new way might be a better way. I am certain it will be on offense next season

Again if Mack really wants to be here, come back to help the team get over the hump..for 10-13 million count me in. At top edge rusher dollars no thanks

[Bolt4Knob]

I think Mack is back - but he is not the highest priority. Oweh, Center and one OG are a higher priority at this time

Mack does allow Tuli and Oweh the ability to do things because he is so good on the edge, taking on double teams, getting sacks in high numbers has never been his game. So his "dirty work" helps the other players

That said, if there are other options out there -- Hortiz needs to look at them. Same as OLine. I am open to other players not named Linderbaum or McGovern or Edwards or Johnson - but they might be better options at C and OG

They key thing is Hortiz has to nail it - whatever decisions, health willing - he has to nail this offseason