Los Angeles Chargers News

AFC WEST

Tre' Harris • WR • Chargers

The Buy-Low Window for Tre' Harris Could Be Closing

A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris was largely blocked off from significant playing time as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 24-year-old recorded 30 receptions for 324 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets and spent most of the year as the Chargers' WR4 behind Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen. However, the soon-to-be 34-year-old Allen currently remains unsigned, which could open up a path to a starting role for Harris in 2026. Additionally, Los Angeles faces a May 1 deadline to decide on whether or not to exercise Johnston's fifth-year option for the 2027 season. If the Chargers decline the option, Harris would almost certainly be the team's succession plan for Johnston in a starting role on the outside. For dynasty managers, buying low on Harris before the Chargers' long-term roster-building plans are out in the open could be a smart move.

Yesterday

Kimani Vidal • RB • Chargers

Kimani Vidal Could Be Sliding Down the Running Back Depth Chart in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal played a surprisingly prominent role in his team's offense in 2025, recording 779 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 171 touches across 13 games (10 starts). After opening the year on the practice squad in Los Angeles, Vidal was thrust into a starting role after Chargers' backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris (Achilles) were both forced onto Injured Reserve, Hampton by an ankle injury and Harris with a torn Achilles tendon. However, Vidal's role with the Chargers could be significantly diminished in 2026. Hampton should enter training camp fully healthy and profiles as the team's clear lead back. Los Angeles also signed former Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year contract in free agency, which could signify that Mitchell has the edge on Vidal for the team's RB2 role. Vidal could still be worth rostering in deep dynasty formats as a depth piece, but his stock is fading given his murky playing time outlook in Los Angeles.

4 days ago

Quentin Johnston • WR • Chargers

Chargers Unlikely to Trade Quentin Johnston?

The Los Angeles Chargers haven't publicly indicated that they are willing to part ways with wide receiver Quentin Johnston, and internally, they "believe in him," according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The former first-rounder in 2023 struggled with drops and looked like a potential bust when general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh showed up in 2024. But instead of giving up on Johnston, they leaned into him and gave him a bigger role, which led to a breakout season with 55 catches, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. He has led the team in touchdowns (eight) in each of the last two seasons and had a career-high 735 receiving yards in 2025. Even with Keenan Allen being a free agent, the Chargers have a log-jam at receiver after drafting both Tre' Harris and Keandre Lambert-Smith last year. Johnston's fifth-year option is due on May 1, which is projected to be at $18 million. If Johnston stays in L.A., he could be the clear WR2 for the Chargers in 2026 if Allen doesn't return. Despite being boom or bust the last two years, Johnston has become a much more intriguing deep threat in fantasy.

6 days ago

Ladd McConkey • WR • Chargers

Ladd McConkey Could Bounce Back in Mike McDaniel's Offense

The Athletic's Daniel Popper thinks that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey could have a bounce-back season in 2026 in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's offense. Popper also believes that for McConkey to bounce back, the Chargers need to avoid re-signing veteran Keenan Allen, who led the team in targets and catches in 2025. McConkey and Allen both thrive in similar areas of the field, so in the absence of Allen in McDaniel's offense, McConkey could become a fantasy football stud again. Popper sees McDaniel maximizing McConkey's "shiftiness and yards-after-the-catch ability" with pre-snap motion and linebacker manipulation. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 out of Georgia caught 82 of 112 targets for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in his rookie season, but he fell to a 66-789-6 line in 16 games in 2025. With more targets and a focus on the offense under McDaniel, McConkey definitely can become a strong WR2 for fantasy managers going into his third year in the NFL.

Mar 22

Quentin Johnston • WR • Chargers

Quentin Johnston Expected to Handle More Targets in 2026?

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston had the best season of his young career in 2025, and he could make an even bigger impact with a potentially larger target share next year. Johnson finished his third NFL campaign with 51 catches, 735 yards, and eight touchdowns. This ended up being just four fewer catches and 24 more yards than his 2024 marks, as well as the same number of trips to the end zone. His 2025 stats resulted in a career-best WR34 finish. The 24-year-old continued to deal with some of the struggles that plagued him at the start of his career, including drops. However, he has started to show signs of turning the corner and being a productive fantasy option week in and week out. Now, Johnston could be headed for even more volume after teammate Keenan Allen hit free agency. Allen leaves behind a whopping 112 vacated targets that will likely be allocated to some combination of Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Tre' Harris. We wouldn't be surprised to see Johnston get triple-digit targets in 2026, and if his hands become a little more reliable, he could push for 1,000 yards. All in all, he has top-30 receiver upside heading into his fourth NFL season, especially with Allen no longer stealing volume.

Mar 20

Justin Herbert • QB • Chargers

Will Justin Herbert Have Higher Fantasy Ceiling in New Offense?

Thankfully for fantasy managers, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's playoff woes don't count. Herbert was named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career in 2025, but he looked bad again in an ugly playoff loss to the New England Patriots. During the regular season, the 28-year-old completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 16 games to finish as the QB10 in overall fantasy points. He added a career-high 83 rushing attempts for 498 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The fact that L.A.'s offensive line was so banged up and ineffective led to Herbert taking off and running more than he ever has in his career. It helped him stay in the top-12 overall fantasy QBs. With a healthier offensive line in 2026 and with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel leading the offense, Herbert should be in better hands. He might even return to the 4,000-yard passing mark, which he hasn't reached since his third year in the league in 2022. Herbert's dynasty and redraft stock is on the rise, making him at least a low-end QB1 target in drafts later this year.

Mar 19

Ladd McConkey • WR • Chargers

Ladd McConkey Has Terrific Opportunity to Bounce Back

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an underwhelming second season in the NFL. Rather than building on an exceptional rookie campaign, he took a step backward with 66 catches, 789 yards, and six touchdowns. He ranked as the WR30 overall in PPR leagues, dropping more than a dozen spots from his 2024 ranking as WR13. The exact reason for McConkey's regression is unclear, but we'd imagine the Chargers' league-worst offensive line played a role. McConkey excels in running medium routes downfield, getting open, and making plays, but if the big men up front didn't allow enough time for that to develop, the receiver would either get uncatchable targets or no targets at all. Los Angeles fortified its trenches this offseason with Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, and they also freed up an additional 122 targets by letting Keenan Allen walk in free agency. These two factors -- as well as the hiring of smart-minded offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel -- could be exactly what McConkey needs to get back into the low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 conversation in 2026.

Mar 19

Oronde Gadsden • TE • Chargers

Mike McDaniel to Maximize Oronde Gadsden's Skill Set?

The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden will play in a role that "maximizes his receiving skill set" under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in 2026. The Chargers signed tight end Charlie Kolar, who is an elite run blocker and an "ideal fit" in McDaniel's movement offense. He also has upside as a pass-catcher, but Gadsden will be the Bolts' clear top pass-catching TE after he impressed in his first year in the NFL in 2025 with 49 catches on 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (seven starts). His numbers were good enough to make him the TE16 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie. Gadsden also ranked 14th at his position in yards per route run. He's an ascending player with a good fit in the offensive scheme as he heads into his second year in the league. For fantasy managers who wait at the TE position, Gadsden is a great late-round target with upside.

Mar 19

Keaton Mitchell • RB • Chargers

Keaton Mitchell Could "Thrive" in New Offensive Scheme in L.A.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that new Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell's "acceleration and threatening speed to the edge will thrive" in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme in 2026. The Bolts drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round last year, but the 24-year-old Mitchell runs with explosiveness and has been compared to Miami's De'Von Achane, whom McDaniel coached with the Dolphins. Mitchell has averaged a healthy 6.3 yards per carry in his three years in the NFL with Baltimore, but injuries have kept him from reaching his true potential, as his 13 games played in 2025 were a career-high. In his 26 NFL games (two starts), Mitchell has 767 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 121 carries, adding 19 receptions for 184 more yards on 24 targets. Mitchell will be a handcuff for Hampton at the very least, but he could also absolutely carve out standalone value as an RB3/flex in fantasy in 2026 if he can stay on the field in L.A.

Mar 19

Keenan Allen • WR • Chargers

Keenan Allen's Fantasy Stock Continues to Fall as he Nears the End of his Career

In his 13th NFL season in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 81 of his 122 targets for 777 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). Allen finished second on the team in receiving yards, behind only second-year wideout Ladd McConkey. The 33-year-old six-time Pro Bowler spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers before spending the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears. He returned to L.A. last year and caught touchdown passes in the first three games before tailing off and going over 50 receiving yards just once in his final 10 regular-season games. Now a free agent, it's currently unclear whether Allen will even continue his career in the NFL. If he does, he won't be much more than a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex option for fantasy managers, depending on his landing spot. If Allen doesn't re-sign with the Bolts, he could decide to hang up his cleats.

Mar 16

Omarion Hampton • RB • Chargers

Omarion Hampton Has High Upside with New Offensive Coordinator

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton continues to trend upward ahead of the 2026 season. Hampton is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and should now benefit from playing in a system led by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Under McDaniel's leadership last year, the Dolphins had the fourth-most rushing yards per carry, so we would expect Los Angeles to adopt a run-heavy system with similar success in 2026. Hampton had 380 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns through his first four games, but a midseason injury interrupted his progress and led to subpar results at the end of the year. Now that he's heading into his second season and is healthy, Hampton should take that next step forward and produce as a potential top-12 fantasy running back. He'll also benefit from having more protection in front of him, as the Chargers' league-worst offensive line added projected starters Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange this offseason.

Mar 14

Trey Lance • QB • Chargers

Trey Lance Returns to the Chargers on a One-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed quarterback Trey Lance to a one-year deal worth up to $6.75 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Lance continues to operate in a depth role, as he has made just 16 appearances (six starts) since being drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He backed up Justin Herbert in Los Angeles last year, making four appearances and one start. He finished the year 0-1 with a 47.4% completion rate, 226 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 85 yards on the ground. Lance isn't a very flashy name, and the $6.75 million maximum value of his deal likely has a much lower base rate with plenty of playing time-based incentives. He's avoidable in all fantasy leagues as long as Herbert remains healthy, and even if the starter misses time, Lance wouldn't be a very appealing streamer.

Mar 14

Oronde Gadsden • TE • Chargers

Oronde Gadsden Has High-End Dynasty Upside After Promising Rookie Year

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden emerged as an exciting young pass-catcher as a rookie in 2025, recording 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets across 15 games. The 22-year-old established himself as the Chargers' primary receiving tight end by the middle of the season, pushing out veteran tight end Tyler Conklin. Conklin departed Los Angeles for the Detroit Lions in free agency, further clearing the way for Gadsden to dominate tight end snaps in 2026. Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar for some depth at the position, but Kolar profiles as a blocking specialist with just 30 total receptions across 47 career NFL games. Based on what he showed as a rookie, Gadsden could easily grow into a high-volume role in the Los Angeles offense. His stock in dynasty formats should be rising heading into 2026.

Mar 14

Keaton Mitchell • RB • Chargers

Keaton Mitchell Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year, $9.5 million deal that includes $5 million guaranteed, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Mitchell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, compiling 951 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 140 touches. Injuries limited the 24-year-old to just 26 games played over three years, and he's also been stuck behind workhorse back Derrick Henry in Baltimore. However, Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In Los Angeles, Mitchell will likely be fighting with Kimani Vidal for the RB2 role behind 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Mitchell's speed and big-play ability will likely appeal to new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. While Hampton still projects as the team's clear lead rusher, Mitchell's arrival could create a slight logjam for backfield touches in Los Angeles.

Mar 12

Khalil Mack • OLB • Chargers

Khalil Mack Returning to the Chargers for 2026

All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack has agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Chargers, taking one of the top potential free agents off the market, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. A Pro Bowler in his first three years with the team, Mack now enters his fifth season with the Bolts, his longest stay with one team as he enters year 13 of his brilliant career. While his pass-rush numbers have fallen precipitously since his career-high 17-sack campaign in 2023, the former fifth overall pick is still one of the league's most dominant edge-setters. Mack's 113 career sacks put him just outside the top 25 in NFL history, and he is likely to wear a gold jacket whenever he decides to walk away from the game.

Mar 8

Kimani Vidal • RB • Chargers

Chargers Place Exclusive-Rights Tender on Kimani Vidal

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Friday that they placed an exclusive-rights tender on free-agent running back Kimani Vidal to keep him around for the 2026 season. The Chargers also signed running back Jaret Patterson and safety Kendall Williamson to contract extensions. The 24-year-old Vidal was thrust into a bigger role than anticipated last year when both Najee Harris (Achilles) and rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) went down with injuries. The former sixth-rounder in 2024 out of Troy had 155 carries for 643 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 13 regular-season games, adding 16 catches for 136 yards and another score. Vidal proved to be a reliable plug-and-play RB3/flex option for fantasy managers, although with Hampton returning as the Bolts' clear lead back, it will be difficult for Vidal to improve on his numbers in 2026.

Mar 6

Tyler Biadasz • C • Chargers

Chargers Agree With Tyler Biadasz on Three-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with free-agent center Tyler Biadasz on a three-year deal worth $30 million on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Biadasz was cut by the Washington Commanders after being set to make $8.3 million in 2026. The 28-year-old is expected to be past the ankle and knee injuries that landed him on Injured Reserve to close out last season in Washington. The Chargers were desperate for some offensive-line upgrades, particularly at center, so they have made Biadasz the sixth-highest-paid center in the NFL. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 out of Wisconsin, Biadasz has started 84 of the 92 games he's appeared in while making the Pro Bowl in 2022 with Dallas. The addition of Biadasz is a big positive for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Mar 6

Khalil Mack • OLB • Chargers

Khalil Mack Could be a "Great Fit" for Seahawks

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on Seattle Sports on Thursday that Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent outside linebacker Khalil Mack could be a "great fit" with the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. The nine-time Pro Bowler is an elite run defender and has ranked among the top 10 edge rushers at Pro Football Focus in each of the last three seasons. Mack has a total of 113 sacks and 36 forced fumbles in his 12-year career with the Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Chargers, including a career-high 17 sacks in 2023. The 35-year-old veteran and former fifth overall pick by the Raiders in 2014 out of Buffalo only played in 12 games last year due to an elbow injury and finished with 32 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, and four forced fumbles. Mack recently announced that he plans on playing in 2026, and he's ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 edge rusher and the No. 20 overall player available in free agency this offseason.

Mar 5

Will Dissly • TE • Chargers

Chargers Release Will Dissly

The Los Angeles Chargers released tight end Will Dissly on Wednesday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The Chargers also cut offensive guard Mekhi Becton and offensive tackle Savion Washington before the start of the new league year next week. It was mostly a lost season in 2025 for Dissly, who played in only nine games due to injury and caught only 11 of his 16 targets for 97 yards and no touchdowns in his second year in L.A. The 29-year-old tight end missed three weeks with a knee injury and was phased out of the offense in the second half of the year. In his first year with the Bolts, Dissly was much more productive, setting career-highs in catches (50), targets (64), and receiving yards (481) while finding the end zone two times in 15 games played (eight starts). He should be able to latch on with another team as TE depth, but he isn't expected to be on the fantasy radar.

Mar 4

Mekhi Becton • G • Chargers

Chargers Plan to Release Mekhi Becton

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to release offensive guard Mekhi Becton in the coming days, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The move to cut Becton will save the Chargers $9.7 million on the salary cap for the 2026 season. Becton looked better in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles with his move to right guard, but he struggled mightily in pass protection in 2025 with the Chargers, and will now be looking for his fourth different team in the last four years. The 26-year-old former 11th overall pick by the New York Jets has not lived up to expectations despite standing at 6-foot-7, 363 pounds. Becton will surely latch on with another team looking for help on the offensive line, but he might be set for more of a rotational role than a starting one. He has started 59 of the 61 games he's appeared in over the course of his five-year career.

Mar 4

Los Angeles Chargers News

LEGEND