The Official 2026 Chargers Season Discussion - (0-2)

[Boltjolt]

Did I miss something? Are the bills facing the same challenges?
Allen has a high ankle sprain?
Joe Brady new to Buffalo?
What about Beane the GM, his first offseason building depth from one style of offense to the complete opposite?

Bills got pounded last week.

[Boltjolt]

Thats a really good post Boltnut. Some valid points. Full marks for the work of Joe Hortiz with the roster/budget so far. Full marks for the work of Minter. Jury very much out on Roman.
Harbaugh a good leader and like the culture, though expect better game management than we saw last week and less penalties woud be nice.

I am not actually freaking out. But as Harbaugh has been given the keys to the city and a truckload of money I have higher expectations than the same mediocrity on the actual field we are used to..and probably less patience with this team than I would have had years ago. 11 straight home losses to the Chiefs in many winnable games is getting to be a bit much.

Herbert has been the main thing worth watching on this team the last 4 years, not loving the early returns on Herbert in this system. I knew they would run the ball but i didnt expect a bottom of the NFL passing game with Herbert that cant score a point when the run game is stuffed by a good defence.

Looks like you may be freaking out to me using those words. There are many teams that are 2-2 that are good teams. Again, if we start clicking by mid season while maintaining 5-4 record and then take off,....that imo is a good scenario. Finish strong s the way to go. I think KC in a SB win season was 2-3.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I honestly don't know if you're being genuine or not, there are multiple factors at play that make up, "Roman's offense" which is kind of the point of engaging in a fan forum, but you continue to disregard multiple factors as insignificant or avoid addressing them at all.
Re: your stance on injuries: Are you of the opinion our offense isn't significantly more productive vs say KC with Slater and Alt starting instead of dumb and dumber?
and Herbert's injury didn't affect his ability to move and play QB at all or significantly?
Why have you pin pointed Roman as being the culprit? Some vague similarities to struggles in the past?
Just because LJ couldn't continue his MVP success he had with Roman in 2019 that means something?
I think you're being unfair in assessing Roman by avoiding obvious and difficult barriers by comparing them to other teams in different circumstances.
Now wts, are there red flags? Absolutely! I almost haven't been able to get to those because I'm so distracted by having to argue for the obvious (my fault 🙃)
Your stance may prove to be valid by years end, but prematurely at this point.

I can agree I am being premature. Its a long season. Admittingly I dont have the patience with this team I once did. We have all crowned Hortiz and Harbaugh the last 8 months, really before anything on the field has been accomplished. A quarter of the season is in the books and not alot has changed so far. The last 3 years under Staley they beat the bad teams on the schedule and lost to every good team they played. You will see me be happy when this team plays 60 minutes of good football and wins a game aganst a bonafide good, contending NFL football team. Been waiting a few years to see that. That is when I will believe something has truly changed.

Injuries suck, i used that as an exuse for the Chargers for countless years but i just cant do it anymore. There is ridiculous carnage all over the NFL affecting many teams in the first 3-4 weeks of this season. Its life in the NFL that winning teams just have to overcome.

[dmac_bolt]

Not for those that had already determined him to be bad... way before training camp even started...
What we are experiencing right now is simple confirmation bias.
It will blow over once the OL gets healthy... once Herbert becomes comfortable with his WR's and TE's.
Many times, these guys are open... Herbert needs to do a better job of seeing the whole field... in this scheme.

Quietly, McConkey has earned an 80.2 grade from PFF. Quietly, QJ has shown much improvement in 2024 (68 pff).
The bookend OT's are set for years to come. The IOL are on short contracts. Prove-it... or get replaced.

It's much easier to replace IOL... via FA or mid-round draft picks. Connor Williams would be a nice FA replacement if Bozeman doesn't live up to expectations. Pipkins could be replaced via the draft if he doesn't produce at guard. Zion Johnson has quietly earned a 70.6 grade from PFF. He's a better run-blocker at this point... a pretty good fit for this scheme.

The roster underwent major turnover this off-season. The cap situation mandated that we get rid of over-paid, aging/oft-injured players. Draft well and don't over-pay for FA's. Re-sign the FA's that produce... move on from those that don't produce. Fulton, Perryman, Ford, and Dobbins have earned consideration as re-signs. So far, Bozeman, Edwards, and Hurst haven't.

It's an 18-week season. We were competing against very good teams (Steelers/Chiefs) despite injuries at critical positions (OT/QB/DE)... not to mention DJ's suspension. There is no need to be in Freak-out Mode after Week 4.

Zion gets fooled and beat inside on pass pro stunts constantly, not sure what OL you and PFF are watching. It’s a mystery to me when the light will flick on for him - it’s 80% mental and the other half is from thinking. 100% Agree it’s a long season and we’re only 1/4 in … he has the physical toolkit, lets see him put it together.

Cuz if our scheme is to have an OL that can’t pass block whenever we need to pass, we are fucked. Watching this same shit for 2.25 years is fucking old.

[21&500]

Bills got pounded last week.

Ya I didn't even mention that, good point.

Frankly, this is the new preseason that happens to count.
Regular season starts in 8 days.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Bills got pounded last week.

Yes though they are 3-1 and my real point is that they can score points on the ground or through the air, their offence functions without their two top WRs from last year

Can they play the injury card? Cuz they are missing 4 starters on defense.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Looks like you may be freaking out to me using those words. There are many teams that are 2-2 that are good teams. Again, if we start clicking by mid season while maintaining 5-4 record and then take off,....that imo is a good scenario. Finish strong s the way to go. I think KC in a SB win season was 2-3.

Thats true but it is also the same line and optimisim that has been trotted out every year on here. 500 football is all good, we will go on a run!

As I said a victory over a good NFL team will pipe me down. Until then its the same old.

[Boltjolt]

Yes though they are 3-1 and my real point is that they can score points on the ground or through the air, their offence functions without their two top WRs from last year

Can they play the injury card? Cuz they are missing 4 starters on defense.

They scored 12 last week. We were missing two...or was it three starters on defense? You know, nobody LIKES to play the injury card but the fact is, teams have starters and when thry get hurt, their backup comes in to replace them. We didnt have Joey, as usual but this season we have good backups. Not as good a backup for Derwin and still not great backups on the OL.

Depth matters and ours still needs upgrading on the OL. We knew we wouldnt get everything in year one but they did what they could with the available money. I was hoping Bozeman would be better since in Carolina Young held the ball too long but he jus isnt a good pass blocker. Zion isnt either and Mustifer is awful. Salyer got beat bad at LT at times.

[sonorajim]

Zion gets fooled and beat inside on pass pro stunts constantly, not sure what OL you and PFF are watching. It’s a mystery to me when the light will flick on for him - it’s 80% mental and the other half is from thinking. 100% Agree it’s a long season and we’re only 1/4 in … he has the physical toolkit, lets see him put it together.

Cuz if our scheme is to have an OL that can’t pass block whenever we need to pass, we are fucked. Watching this same shit for 2.25 years is fucking old.

2.25 years? Linsley played in 2022 and Herbert had 4739 pass yds, 25 TDs. No SB but we made the WC rd. Not great but definitely not the SOS. Defense was the W killer during Staley.
In 2023 we added OC Moore, subtracted C Linsley to create a cascade of offensive ineptitude.
Totally agree about need for depth, don't agree that our IOL suck.Harbaugh, Roman, Devlin and Hardwick have to do a better job.Our IOL players can be a rough average at worst if the coaching and playcalling come together

[Lefty2SLO]

Zion gets fooled and beat inside on pass pro stunts constantly, not sure what OL you and PFF are watching. It’s a mystery to me when the light will flick on for him - it’s 80% mental and the other half is from thinking. 100% Agree it’s a long season and we’re only 1/4 in … he has the physical toolkit, lets see him put it together.

Cuz if our scheme is to have an OL that can’t pass block whenever we need to pass, we are fucked. Watching this same shit for 2.25 years is fucking old.

It's just my opinion but I would expect Zion to perform better with a quality center next to him, which we haven't had for at least 2 years since Lindsley went down. He does get fooled a lot on stunts, but maybe he's expecting help that's supposed to be there (but isn't).

[Lone Bolt]

I dont post as much during regular season...too many kneejerk reactionaries to navigate...but really, folks...we are who we thought we were...a brand new team that was gonna have to figure it out, then finish strong, to then springboard into the next several seasons. They already tore some shit down, and added some pieces...after this season, Jim will identify the furthur repairs and replacements needed...that is what he does...team build...culture is installed...what follows is completing the roster this year and next, that fits that culture.

Couldnt nail it all in one season...IOL probably the best example of this...Bozman and Pip are bracing studs, waiting for the true supports to show...though Pip could develop as a guard, and be repurposed as permanent...we will see...

We are 2-2, and injuries/mistakes cost us 2 games we had in our hands. This team is tough...stay tuned. Still some dips on this rollar coaster ride...but we finish strong under Jimbo...bank it. I foresee bonus football this year for bolt fans...

[Lone Bolt]

By the way, Boltjolt...I see you, bro...way to hold the line vs the kneejerkers...common sense welcome!