Many are enthusiastic about watching the Los Angeles Chargers on offense this season. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is putting in a brand new scheme that may get the workforce shifting extra, each horizontally and vertically, and make the most of a wide-zone blocking scheme that might unlock its talent gamers, to not point out quarterback Justin Herbert.
However head coach Jim Harbaugh’s groups have all the time received with protection, and the Chargers have been no exception in his two prior seasons on the helm of the squad. Los Angeles completed ninth in factors allowed, fifth in passing yards given up and third in passing touchdowns surrendered, and it has two wonderful pass-rushers in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, in addition to a stud security in Derwin James Jr.
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Whereas its linebackers are a large query mark, USA Right this moment NFL analyst Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz gave his rating of the league’s prime defenses, and the Bolts got here in at No. 9.
The Chargers ought to be capable of maintain opponents down
Could 11, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary throughout offseason exercises at The Bolt. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures
Whereas L.A. has a brand new defensive coordinator in Chris O’Leary, he is not anticipated to alter quite a lot of issues scheme-wise, as Middlehurst-Schwartz identified.
“New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary will probably be conserving the framework that Jesse Minter established for the Bolts – and with good motive. Below Minter, the Chargers grew to become one of many NFL’s stingiest and most disciplined defenses, seldom giving up something simple. O’Leary, Minter’s longtime mentee, can perform the present imaginative and prescient, thanks largely to a roster that presents few deficiencies. Some slippage is feasible within the transition, however do not anticipate a precipitous fall.”
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O’Leary desires the Chargers’ protection to assault extra, and he’ll probably place the workforce’s linebackers nearer to the road of scrimmage, presumably so as to blitz opposing quarterbacks extra typically. Maybe he could have James, who has totaled 19 sacks in his seven professional seasons (he missed all of 2020 with an damage), blitz a little bit extra typically from the secondary.
Final yr, the Chargers had a 19% blitz charge, which was twenty seventh within the NFL. That undoubtedly wants to enhance if they’re to climb the charts in varied different defensive metrics.
Bud Dupree, an out of doors linebacker who’s going into his third yr with the Chargers, may gain advantage from O’Leary’s new scheme. O’Leary just lately spoke extremely of Dupree and feels the previous first-round draft decide “has so much left.”
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Dupree, 33, had two sacks and three quarterback hits final yr, which was down from six sacks and 10 QB hits in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers Necessities
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports activities on Aug 30, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NFL part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.
