The Chargers will take the field for the first time in 2026 with an opening weekend matchup against the Cardinals on deck.
Here's what Los Angeles needs to do on offense to come away with a win.
One of the biggest appeals of hiring Mike McDaniel this offseason to coordinate the offense is what it might do for Herbert, who is being lauded as a potential MVP candidate with McDaniel's system attached. Chargers fans caught a glimpse of what that could look like in the preseason game against the Rams when Herbert hit Quentin Johnston for a long-range touchdown. A full game of Herbert operating the McDaniel offense should be a thing of beauty, but both men will need to show that this marriage lives up to the hype in order for Sunday to feel like a success.
McDaniel put up wanted posters for fullback Alec Ingold and running back Keaton Mitchell in the Chargers facility before LA was able to sign both players, in addition to adding tight ends Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Sunday will be LA's first chance to show why those players in particular make this offense hum - what sort of usage does Ingold see as a fullback? Is Kolar going to be a more well-rounded receiving threat? What does the rotation look like between Kolar, Njoku, and second-year player Oronde Gadsden II? How much will Mitchell eat into Omarion Hampton's touches? The Chargers should be looking for proof of concept in Week 1, and that will come by answering at least a few of those questions and introducing fans to some of their new contributors on offense.
An interior offensive line of left guard Kayode Awosika, rookie second-round pick center Jake Slaughter, and right guard Cole Strange isn't anything to write home about, but McDaniel has made do with seemingly substandard trios on the inside before. Nolen looked like a potential game-wrecker in limited action for Arizona last season and now returns as the cornerstone of a defensive line who will look to take advantage of what has to be LA's greatest weakness on offense. If the Chargers can keep Nolen from making a big impact by sending help towards him and getting the ball out quickly to start the game, they should be able to keep things humming on offense.

#mcdaniel #kolar

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jacob Cowing returned a punt for an 83-yard touchdown, Eddy Pineiro kicked a pair of field goals and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 41-18 on Thursday night in a preseason game.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy saw his first preseason action, going 4 of 6 for 29 yards in the first quarter.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played the opening series in his first appearance of the preseason. He was 1 of 2, hitting Charlie Kolar with a 9-yard pass as the team went 3-and-out.
Battling for a roster spot at wide receiver, Cowing showed off his speed and agility after the Chargers went 3-and-out with three minutes left in the second quarter.
Chargers punter JK Scott kicked 52 yards to the 49ers' 17-yard line, where Cowing fielded the ball. He dashed to the left and ran in for the score, giving San Francisco a 17-3 lead.

#preseason #francisco #quarterback #quarter

The Chargers plan to play their starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, for exactly one series in their second preseason game against the 49ers this Thursday night. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the decision following a collaborative joint practice with the 49ers, emphasizing the need to ramp up competitive game reps ahead of the regular season.
This matchup offers the first live-game look at the first-team unit executing the playbook of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
For Herbert, this brief appearance provides a crucial opportunity to establish rhythm with his primary targets, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris, along with the newcomers, tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. The starting offensive line will also be tested as the team continues to evaluate its ongoing battle for the starting left guard position.
Once the opening series concludes, Harbaugh will pull the starters and hand the game over to the backups, Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei, to finalize the remaining roster evaluations.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Jim Harbaugh reveals playing time plan for Chargers starters vs. 49ers

#starters

The Chargers completed Day 8 of training camp, with several players standing out throughout practice.
Although several Chargers impressed on Day 8, two players stood out more than anyone else, and both came from the same position group. Safeties Elijah Molden and rookie safety Genesis Smith showed up and showed out.
Smith intercepted Justin Herbert after a pass went through Charlie Kolar's hands. As for Molden, he had an interception in a 7-on-7 drill against Trey Lance after Donte Jackson dove and tipped the ball into the air.
Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary was impressed with Smith's play on Thursday.
"Ball skills, QB anticipation and ball skills [are] really impressive," O'Leary said of Smith. "Today, he showed up when the pads came on a little bit.

#smith #several #players

Mateo Kovačić has not forgotten Inter, and speculation over a return to San Siro has been rekindled after the Croatian caught up with old friends during Manchester City's visit to face the Nerazzurri.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the contact came on the fringes of the two sides' pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
Inter themselves posted a video on social media showing the 32-year-old deep in conversation with compatriot Petar Sučić and warmly greeting the likes of Federico Dimarco and ****** istant coach Aleksandar Kolarov, a reunion that has only fuelled talk of a possible homecoming.
(From L) Italy's midfielder #18 Nicolo Barella and Croatia's midfielder #08 Mateo Kovacic collide during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Croatia and Italy at the Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Those whispers are not new. In recent weeks it emerged that Kovačić's entourage had offered him to the Inter hierarchy, who made clear that departures would be required before any deal could be considered.

#midfielder #croatian

The Ravens’ offensive snap distribution should look different in 2026, not because the foundation has changed, but because Baltimore has rebuilt the supporting cast around Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and an offensive line undergoing one of its most important transitions in years. With Tyler Linderbaum, Patrick Ricard, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Keaton Mitchell, and DeAndre Hopkins no longer part of the equation, the Ravens have to redistribute meaningful snaps at center, tight end, wide receiver, and in the backfield while offensive coordinator Declan Doyle installs a detail-driven system built around explosive plays, formation flexibility, and the continued stress Jackson creates on defenses.
Jackson played 702 offensive snaps last season, or 69.2%, as injuries and game circumstances reduced his total. If healthy, he should push back toward the 90% range in 2026. Tyler Huntley returns as the clear backup after playing 197 snaps last season, but his workload should shrink if Jackson stays available. Skylar Thompson gives Baltimore experienced depth, while Diego Pavia and Joe ******* nano enter camp as developmental quarterbacks competing for a path to the practice squad.
Henry remains the lead back after logging 556 snaps last season, or 54.8%, but Baltimore has to reshape the rotation behind him. Justice Hill played 219 offensive snaps and should again be the top change-of-pace and passing-down option if healthy. Rasheen Ali’s offensive role could grow after he played 119 snaps last season, while rookie Adam Randall is the wild card because his versatility gives Doyle a runner, receiver, and gadget option who can be used in motion, backfield packages, and specialty looks. Dontae McMillan and Elijah Tau-Tolliver are likely fighting for depth and special teams value. Lucas Scott is the lone fullback, but his roster path is complicated by Doyle’s preference for using tight ends and H-backs instead of a traditional fullback role.
Wide receiver should remain centered on Zay Flowers, who played 879 snaps last season, or 86.6%, and now enters 2026 as the unquestioned No. 1 option after back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Rashod Bateman played 551 snaps and still has a path to a major role, but he must hold off a deeper group after an injury-filled 2025 and trade speculation. Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane should push for immediate snaps because of his size, catch radius, and red-zone value, while Elijah Sarratt has already made a strong case as a polished possession target who can work from the slot and become trusted on third down. Devontez Walker played 163 snaps last season and remains a touchdown threat entering a critical third year. LaJohntay Wester’s return value gives him a realistic game-day role, while Dayton Wade, Cornelius Johnson, Xavier Guillory, Cortez Braham, and Octavian Smith face a crowded competition for the final receiver spots.
Tight end may have the most dramatic redistribution. Andrews played 631 snaps last season and sho

The New York Giants have every reason to explore a trade for Atlanta Falcons star tight end Kyle Pitts in 2026.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano lists Pitts as an early candidate to be dealt before the NFL trade deadline in November, making him a player deserving of the Giants’ attention.
Atlanta is in extension mode at the moment. Top wide receiver Drake London signed a four-year, $141 million deal. Sources say the team is also engaged with the agents for star running back Bijan Robinson about a massive extension. Pitts could be part of that plan, too, but he's scheduled to play on a $15.045 million franchise tag if an extension isn't done before July 15. He's coming off an 88-catch, 928-yard and five-touchdown season, but the previous four campaigns were spotted with inconsistent health and production.
The Falcons, particularly with a new coaching staff and front office, might want to see how he fits in their new offense before committing long term. If they don't get him extended by July 15, and that rankles him and/or they struggle early in the season, teams will come asking about the availability of the uber-talented former top-10 pick, who doesn't turn 26 until October. Baltimore lost a pair of tight ends -- Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar -- in free agency and could be looking for the kind of offense Pitts can generate.
Pitts is the ideal type of tight end for the modern NFL. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound athlete recorded 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2025. He is a former 1,000-yard receiver, having posted 1,026 yards as a rookie in 2021. Pitts excels at running precise routes and possesses the ability to make catches and gain yards after contact like a wide receiver.