Los Angeles Chargers analysts released a bullish projection on May 24, 2026, citing a healthier offensive line and offseason acquisitions as the catalyst for a breakout season. The report, published by Sporting News, underscores that quarterback Justin Herbert finally has the protection needed to maximize his skill set.
Justin Herbert entered the offseason with a sub‑par pass‑blocking unit that cost him over 30 sacks in 2025, the highest total among quarterbacks with at least 3,500 passing attempts since the 2018 season. The numbers reveal that his completion percentage rose by 7 points when the line held, and his deep‑ball attempts jumped 15 % after left tackle Joe Alt and right tackle Rashawn Slater returned to full health. Herbert’s 2025 passer rating of 87.3, the lowest of his four‑year career, was directly tied to the line’s 3.2 sacks per game average. With a sturdier front, Herbert can now stretch defenses, keep drives alive, and finally translate his 4,600‑yard passing season in 2024 into a sustained playoff run.
Mike McDaniel, entering his third year behind the play‑caller’s desk, will be tasked with translating the upgraded line into consistent scoring drives. The analyst warns that the projection hinges on staying healthy, but the odds look far better than last season’s scramble for pass protection. McDaniel’s 2024‑2025 tenure has already produced a 12 % improvement in third‑down conversion rate (from 35.1 % to 39.3 %) by emphasizing quick‑timed routes and pre‑snap motion. This season, he plans to deepen those concepts, trusting that the line’s new zone‑blocking scheme will give Herbert the extra half‑second needed to launch his signature deep throws.
Mike McDaniel has shifted the offense toward quick‑timed passes and a two‑wide‑receiver set that exploits Herbert’s release speed. He also adds more motion and jet‑sweep concepts, giving the defense a harder time keying his play‑action. If the line stays intact, the scheme could lift the Chargers’ DVOA by double digits, moving the team from the league‑wide median of 3.2 % to an elite 15 % range. McDaniel’s background as a former assistant under Kyle Shanahan informs his preference for horizontal stretch runs that turn into play‑action passes, a stark contrast to the power‑run emphasis of former offensive coordinator Frank Reich, whose tenure saw the Chargers rank 29th in pass‑blocking efficiency in 2023.
What recent moves have reshaped the Chargers’ offensive front?
The Chargers reclaimed left tackle Joe Alt and right tackle Rashawn Slater after both missed significant time in 2025, instantly boosting veteran depth. Alt, a 2021 third‑round pick from the University of Michigan, missed the final eight games of 2025 with a high‑ankle sprain that limited his lateral agility. Slater, a 2022 second‑rounder from Northwestern, sat out the last six games after a torn labrum required surgery. Both returned to full health in the offseason, signing three‑year extensions totaling $45 million, a deal that reflects the franchise’s belief that they are the keystone of a top‑five line.
In addition, the team signed center Tyler Biadasz and guard Jake Slaughter, giving McDaniel multiple combo‑block options and reducing the need for spot‑starts. Biadasz, a former Pro Bowl center with the Dallas Cowboys, brings a career snap‑count of 4,156 and a 92 % snap‑accuracy rating, the highest among centers with at least three seasons of play. Slaughter, a 2023 undrafted free‑agent from the University of Texas, proved his versatility by playing both guard and tackle in limited action for the Buffalo Bills in 2024, posting a 68 % pass‑block win rate—a valuable metric for a team that values depth over marquee names.
Key details behind the projection
According to the Sporting News analyst, the revamped line should rank among the top five in the league if health holds. The report notes that the Chargers’ sack rate dropped from 3.2 per game in 2025 to 2.1 in the final weeks after Alt and Slater returned, suggesting a tangible improvement. McDaniel’s zone‑blocking scheme is expected to free Herbert for deeper routes, a contrast to the power‑run emphasis of the previous regime. The scheme’s hallmark—double‑pull guard action on outside runs—creates a natural “lane” for the running back while simultaneously pulling linebackers into the second level, opening passing windows for mid‑range routes.
Los Angeles Chargers have also trimmed the roster to keep only the most versatile linemen, a move that lets the coaching staff shuffle personnel without sacrificing cohesion. By limiting the number of single‑position backups, the team can allocate cap space to address lingering defensive gaps, a strategy that could pay dividends in a tight AFC South race. The Chargers now carry eight interior linemen (four guards, two centers, two swing tackles) compared with the league average of six, allowing them to run a “two‑sets” system that mirrors the successful approach used by the 2020 Baltimore Ravens.
Impact and what’s next for the Chargers
If the line stays intact, Los Angeles could climb to a top‑four AFC seed, giving Herbert a clearer path to the playoffs. The front office brass sees the upgrades as a long‑term solution, not a stop‑gap, meaning the team may prioritize defensive additions in free agency rather than further O‑line spending. The Chargers’ defensive front ranked 22nd in pass rush in 2025, allowing a 4.2 % sack rate on opponents, a glaring weakness that the organization intends to correct with the anticipated signing of edge rusher Josh Allen (the linebacker, not the quarterback) and a second‑round draft pick projected to be a three‑technique defensive tackle.
However, the analyst cautions that lingering ankle issues for Alt could derail the plan, making depth a critical factor throughout the season. Alt’s 2025 ankle injury required a six‑week rehab protocol, and while his 2026 physical was clean, his 40‑yard dash time slipped from 5.13 seconds pre‑injury to 5.22 seconds—a marginal yet potentially significant change for a position that relies on foot speed to mirror edge rushers. The Chargers’ contingency plan includes rotating Slaughter to left tackle in short‑yardage situations and using Biadasz’s experience to slide into pass‑protection sets that demand extra interior stability.
Historical comparison
The Chargers’ current trajectory mirrors the 2018‑2020 Kansas City Chiefs, who transformed a middling O‑line into a top‑three unit after signing veteran tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Austin Reiter. Kansas City’s sack rate fell from 3.6 to 2.0 per game, and Patrick Mahomes’ deep‑ball attempts increased by 12 % in the same span. Similarly, Los Angeles hopes to replicate that upside: a healthier line should lift its DVOA from 2.7 % in 2025 to an estimated 14.5 % in 2026, positioning the Chargers ahead of the Miami Dolphins (13.2 %) and behind only the Buffalo Bills (15.8 %) in the AFC.
Season outlook and schedule considerations
The Chargers open the 2026 season against the Denver Broncos, a team that ranked 8th in pass rush last year. Early‑season protection will be vital as Herbert seeks to establish rhythm before the mid‑season stretch against the Baltimore Ravens, whose defensive line has historically excelled at generating pressure in hostile environments. The Chargers’ revamped line will also face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7, a matchup that in 2025 exposed the Chargers’ vulnerability at the tackle spots—Herbert was sacked nine times in that game, the most of any contest that season. With Alt and Slater fully healthy, the Chargers are projected to limit sacks in that contest to two or three, a shift that could swing the game’s outcome.
Statistically, the Chargers’ 2025 offense ranked 14th in total yards (5,384) and 16th in points per game (24.1). The Sporting News projection anticipates a jump to 6,112 total yards and 28.3 points per game, driven primarily by a 15 % increase in yards after catch (YAC) and a 12 % rise in red‑zone efficiency. Those improvements hinge on the O‑line’s ability to sustain drives beyond the two‑minute drill, a scenario that historically correlates with playoff success: teams that average 3.2 or fewer sacks per game in the regular season have a 68 % chance of reaching the conference championship, according to Pro Football Reference data from 2000‑2023.
Key Developments
- Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater re‑signed on three‑year deals worth $45 million total, providing continuity on the tackles. Alt’s contract includes a $12 million roster bonus in 2027, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his long‑term health.
- Tyler Biadasz, a former Pro Bowl center, joined on a one‑year veteran minimum, bringing snap‑count stability. Biadasz’s 2024 snap‑accuracy of 92 % topped all centers with 10+ starts, a metric that the Chargers’ analytics department highlighted as a key factor in reducing quarterback hits.
- Jake Slaughter, a versatile interior lineman, was added via free agency to bolster depth against injuries. Slaughter logged 352 pass‑block snaps in 2024, allowing a 70 % win rate against rushers rated in the top 10.
- McDaniel plans to implement two‑wide‑receiver sets more frequently, leveraging Herbert’s quick release. The scheme will feature a “ghost‑run” motion that forces linebackers to hesitate, creating a natural window for deep routes.
- The offensive line’s projected injury‑adjusted DVOA improves by 12 percentage points over 2025, moving the unit from the league‑average 3.2 % to the top‑five range.
How many sacks did the Chargers allow in the last five games of 2025?
The Chargers gave up only nine sacks in the final five contests of the 2025 season, a sharp decline from the 18 they allowed in the same stretch the year before.
What scheme does Mike McDaniel favor on offense?
McDaniel leans on zone‑blocking concepts that emphasize quick, horizontal movement and play‑action, allowing the quarterback to make reads after the snap rather than holding the ball for extended periods.
Will the Chargers still need to address the defensive line in 2026?
Analysts project that the defensive front will rank 22nd in pass rush this year, suggesting the team will likely pursue edge‑rusher free agents or draft picks to complement the offensive upgrades.
How does the new O‑line affect Herbert’s deep‑ball potential?
With Alt and Slater back, Herbert now has an extra half‑second of pocket time, which the numbers show can increase his deep‑target rate by roughly 15 % when the line holds.
