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Analyst Picks Chargers to Miss the NFL Playoffs This Season
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- Analyst Picks Chargers to Miss the NFL Playoffs This Season
Go around the NFL landscape, and a lot of people are cautiously optimistic and even excited about the Los Angeles Chargers as the start of the regular season approaches. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has brought a new scheme that promises to elevate their skill players, and new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is expected to blitz and attack more often.
While there is no doubt the Chargers have a solid amount of talent, starting with two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, they also have some definite roster holes. They also play in a deep conference and division where wins won't come easy, especially since they will face a gauntlet of challenging teams from Week 3 to Week 10.
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Moe Moton of Bleacher Report outlined several surprises that could shake up the NFL season in a recent article . First on his list? The Chargers missing the playoffs.
Moton predicts the Chargers could miss the playoffs
Los Angeles has reached the postseason in both of Jim Harbaugh's seasons as its head coach thus far. It did so on the strength of its defense, but Moton feels the transition to O'Leary from Jesse Minter at defensive coordinator will be one that won't be easy to navigate.
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He feels that ultimately, the defensive side of the football will be the Bolts' downfall, no matter how much they may excel on offense.
"While there's tremendous buzz around the Chargers' offense, many have overlooked what the team lost on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on the sideline," Moton wrote.
"Play-caller Jesse Minter left to become the Ravens' head coach, taking with him the defensive acumen that defined the Chargers over the past two seasons. Under his tutelage, Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in 2024 and ranked ninth in defensive scoring in the previous campaign.
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"First-time NFL defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary will take over for Minter. Aside from a one-year stint as Western Michigan's defensive coordinator last season, he has been a safeties coach. Sure, every play-caller in the NFL needs a first opportunity, but the Chargers defense could see a significant drop-off from Minter to O'Leary."
One player who left this offseason whom the Chargers may miss is Odafe Oweh. He only spent the second half of 2025 with them after arriving in a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, but in 12 games with them, he had 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss.
The team's interior linebackers are a question mark, and while edge rusher Khalil Mack put off retirement for at least one more year, one has to wonder how much he has left in his tank at age 35.
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The heart of the Chargers' schedule will truly test the changes they have made on defense, as Moton pointed out.
"Furthermore, the Chargers face a brutal stretch from Weeks 3 through 10: road games against the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, plus home matchups with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. They have a Week 7 bye during that span.
"Herbert may have a career year in passing, but it may not be enough to get the Chargers to the postseason if their defense gives up points in bunches to playoff-caliber opponents and elite-level quarterbacks."
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Los Angeles hasn't won a playoff game since the 2018 season, and overall, it has won just two postseason games in the last 17 seasons. Even if it makes the playoffs this season, many likely won't consider it a success unless it advances at least one round.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
