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

[Destrier]

With injuries so prevalent in today's NFL they really should expand the roster size.

[Lone Bolt]

I have never seen this many bubble players, spread across so many positions, as a fan. LB, oline, safeties, cbs… dline conundrum is who gets the extra slot? Edge or DTs?

At all of these positions, I think we are cutting a player we would gladly have had on the team, be it development or depth, in years past. Good problem to have.

Then there is Deane “La Cucaracha” Leonard. WTF… this kid shouldn’t be in the league with the injury adversity he had to go through. I don’t know whether to admire his perseverance, or be frustrated how he blurs the bubble line year after year…

I throw my hands up… no easy answers

Only thing I believe for certain… Scotty “coming for souls” Matlock has to go… just too many other, more valuable positions are vying for room on the roster. Love the guy… adopted him one year… but it’s probably curtains for him.

[richpjr]

With injuries so prevalent in today's NFL they really should expand the roster size.

Expand the roster and get rid of the stupid inactive players rule - if you are on the roster you get to play. A team can choose not to play a dinged up player.

[CanadianBoltFan]

For those of us who have appreciated Daniel Popper's Charger coverage. This is one of the last times he will talk about the Chargers 🙁 I have noticed the void in coverage already. Its down to Khris Rihm and house employee Eric Smith basically.

[Charge!]

With injuries so prevalent in today's NFL they really should expand the roster size.

Ive been saying this for years.... but players are against it because that will mean more players sharing one pie...
so players would only support it if owners would increase the cap percentage?
BUT owners do not want to do that!....

sadly, its about money not health of players or team

[CanadianBoltFan]

It is worth remembering with Burke that he hasn't faced full NFL pass rush yet. Preseason teams don't do film study, they line up in vanilla formations and don't try to scheme guys to free them up, they don't use their full range of blitzes. They just isolate athlete vs athlete, so they can judge the players talent and fundamentals.

Burke may be a better player, but we haven't had a chance to REALLY see it yet.

Good point. I am thrilled with what Burke has shown so far. I expected him to be more raw to be honest. But I think he needs to keep growing and not rushed into the starting line up like some seem to want.

I even know someone who wants him to play LG 😃

[wu-dai clan]

Interesting media convos this am on final preseason game shenanigans. Do not believe what you see tomorrow night !

[Factotum]

pure speculation, and....

pup * KLS, Brennen Thompson, Branson Taylor, Kennard

ps/clears waivers * Gary Jennings, Devonte Ross, Alex Harkey, Kaltenberger, Logan Taylor, Pascuzzi, Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson, Matlock, Jahmeer Carter, Lander Barton, Junior Colson, Rodney Shelley, Devin Grant, Avery Smith, Eric Rogers, Peter Bowden

would get poached if not on 53 * Desrosiers, TeRah Edwards,Andre Carter, Genesis Smith, Kendall Williamson, Nikko Reed (think the last three here have a good chance @the 53)

PUP and IR designation are two different things with different rules. I think that the terms gets used interchangeably but this 4 will need to be IRed to have some flexibility for the initial 53 till things get tweaked after the first months.

[Factotum]

He didn't get poached last year 🤷 . I think the only one that will get poached if sent to the PS is Colson. And he wouldn't pass thru waivers to get poached. He would get claimed

TeRah is showing that the he picked it up from where he left off last year. He is a very well coached DLineman with fire in his belly. Teams are DL needy, one being BAL. JMO but he will not clear waivers.

[Factotum]

For the final roster spots, what will matter is how much locker room presence and leadership will matter.

Matlock, Te'Rah and Branson work hard and fall into distinct age groups.

Are the Chargers ready to transition towards youth ?

Dye, Denzel, Bud, Unc, there are several players to be scrutinized.

Hate to say it, but who is dinged, who gets dinged on Thursday, who are the top poach candidates, and which vets get butt hurt by PS designation ?

These are relevant questions, moreso than which particular names individual posters, pidcasters need to bag on, while having no real ability to access talent level or scheme, roster fit.

IMO, it depends on whether the general consensus among the top honchos (primarily Jim & Joe) is to win now, Ala the window is open but may close faster than expected, or the window will be open wide during their stewardship. Denzel and Dye are 33 and 29 respectively with plenty of experience but on a one year contract. I really like Uncle because of his mentorship status plus the fact that he is almost poaching averse! I don't really care for Bud, never did!

[CanadianBoltFan]

Te'Rah is no longer a UDFA who is not good enough to see the field ,,,,, often a big step up for 2nd year DTs.
He has been disruptive and will get poached.

One of the cbs may well not make waivers, but the Chargers seem to be able to find those guys.

Colson? might not be certain about his health. If he passes waivers, and heads to another practice squad ... fine!
Add him as a 6th linebacker and he might be inactive all year. His contract will be up the following year.

Young bubble guys by preference:
#1. TeeRah
#2. Ndame
#3. L. Taylor
#4. 6th corner
#5. Colson
#6. Kennard

Ideally ..... would like anyone of them to beat out: Dye, Penning, Leonard, Dupree ....

I have revisited Nadame and think its not automatic he gets poached. Fairly small UDFA, 26 already, with one good college season in a lesser conference when he was 25 years old.

I like him for the Chargers and glad we signed him but thinking of league wide perspective with what I wrote above. His 14.5 sacks as a 25 year old were not enough to get him drafted in 7 rounds.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I have never seen this many bubble players, spread across so many positions, as a fan. LB, oline, safeties, cbs… dline conundrum is who gets the extra slot? Edge or DTs?

At all of these positions, I think we are cutting a player we would gladly have had on the team, be it development or depth, in years past. Good problem to have.

Then there is Deane “La Cucaracha” Leonard. WTF… this kid shouldn’t be in the league with the injury adversity he had to go through. I don’t know whether to admire his perseverance, or be frustrated how he blurs the bubble line year after year…

I throw my hands up… no easy answers

Only thing I believe for certain… Scotty “coming for souls” Matlock has to go… just too many other, more valuable positions are vying for room on the roster. Love the guy… adopted him one year… but it’s probably curtains for him.

“La Cucaracha is Ryan Ficken's best gunner. Think that's part of it.

Besides you can't lop off a Canadian unless you replace one with Logan Taylor!