News Chargers Team Notes

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers Daily Links: Thursday Open Thread

Good morning, Chargers fans!

You know what to do!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:​

Six offensive targets the Chargers should watch at this year’s Shrine Bowl (Chargers Wire)

Tyreek Hill and two other Dolphins who could follow Mike McDaniel to the Chargers (Bolt Beat)

Former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn may finally be getting another shot at running a football team (Bolt Beat)

Latest updates on Jesse Minter and the buzz surrounding the Chargers coaches (Charger Report)

NFL News:​

Who were the 100 most valuable players in the NFL during the 2025 season? (ESPN)

The Bucs are hiring former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to the same position (ESPN)

Winners and losers from the league’s coaching carousel (CBS Sports)

Six starting quarterbacks who are poised to make another leap in 2026 (NFL.com)

Bruce Arians was “baffled” by the Bills firing Sean McDermott (Pro Football Talk)

Here’s why Jarrett Stidham gives the Broncos a shot against the Patriots (Sports Illustrated)

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...757/chargers-daily-links-thursday-open-thread

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers expected to make Mike McDaniel new OC

The Chargers have found their next offensive coordinator.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Chargers are expected to make former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel their next offensive play-caller, replacing Greg Roman who was fired following the team’s wild card loss to the Patriots.

McDaniel has spent the past four seasons with Miami where his offense ranked in the top six twice, including the league’s number one offense during the 2023 season (401.3 yards per game). In his first season with the Dolphins (2022), he took the NFL’s 25th-ranked offense and turned it into the sixth-ranked offense, going from an average of 307.0 yards per game to 364.5.

Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is expected to become the Chargers offensive coordinator barring a change of heart, per @JeffDarlington and me. McDaniel has informed other teams that they’re out, the Chargers clearly want him, and the two sides are having dinner tonight. But the… pic.twitter.com/N7onkCadlK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2026

During the 2023 season, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for a career high 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns to go with a 69.3 completion percentage. In 2024, Tagovailoa struggled with injuries and missed six games, but he still completed a career-high 72.9 percent of his passes for 2,867 yards in 11 games.

One of the underrated aspects of McDaniel’s time with the Dolphins was his ability to get a lot out of the run game along with his explosive passing attack. During that 2023 season, his team averaged 135.8 rushing yards per game, good for sixth in the NFL. In 2025, with Tagovailoa and the passing game having taken a massive step back, the ground game still ranked 13th with 120.2 yards per game.

During his last stint as an offensive coordinator, McDaniel helped lead the 49ers offense to the seventh-ranked unit in the NFL with an average of 375.7 yards per game. They also ranked seventh in rushing yards per game with 127.4 per game.

Out of all the available play-callers left on the market, McDaniel was arguably the best there was. He had several interviews for head coaching opportunities this cycle but he chose to step out of the running for those and make his way out to Los Angeles where he will get the chance to coach Justin Herbert in 2026.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...hargers-expected-to-make-mike-mcdaniel-new-oc

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers complete interview with former Ravens DC Zach Orr

A day after completing an interview with former Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, the Chargers officially announced they have completed another interview, this time with former Ravens DC Zach Orr. Orr has called the Ravens defense the past two seasons following the hire of Mike MacDonald to the Seahawks.

we’ve completed an interview with Zach Orr for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/LikH8cA8NE

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 23, 2026

In 2024, his first as a NFL defensive coordinator, Orr led the Ravens to the league’s 10th best in total defense and ninth-best in points allowed per game (21.2). However, those numbers took a big step back in 2025 as Baltimore finished 24th in total defense (354.5) and 18th in points allowed (23.4).

As a player, Orr went undrafted in 2014 out of North Texas. He played three seasons for the Ravens from 2014-2016, collecting 162 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. He began his coaching career as an analyst for the Ravens in 2017. In 2021, Orr spent the season as the Jaguars’ outside linebackers coach before returning to the Ravens the next season to coach inside linebackers.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...lete-interview-with-former-ravens-dc-zach-orr

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers interview Dennard Wilson for DC vacancy

On Friday, the Chargers officially announced they have completed an interview with former Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson for the same position. Wilson has spent the last two seasons calling the defense in Tennessee and spent the 2023 season coaching defensive backs for the Ravens.

In Baltimore, Wilson oversaw the quick ascension of safety Kyle Hamilton who was named an All-Pro for the first time. When Mike Macdonald was hired away to be the head coach of the Seahawks, many around the Ravens believed Wilson should have been his replacement at defensive coordinator before the hiring of Zach Orr.

we’ve completed an interview with Dennard Wilson for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/wKg6xjMdZa

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 23, 2026

The Titans finished 21st in total defense this past season (345.1) and 28th in points allowed per game (28.1). In 2024, Tennessee was the league’s 2nd-best unit in total defense (311.2) but finished 30th in points allowed per game (27.1).

Prior to ending up in Baltimore, Wilson spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles where he coached defensive backs (2021-2022) and held pass game coordinator responsibilities (2022).

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...rgers-interview-dennard-wilson-for-dc-vacancy

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Should Chargers trade WR Quentin Johnston?

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quinton Johnston is in an interesting position going into the offseason.

Johnston, a first-round pick out of TCU, struggled at the beginning of his career. However, he has picked things up with improvements year-over-year. Even though he is getting better, the Chargers could end up deciding to move on from him this offseason.

“The Chargers have to decide on his fifth-year option for 2027 this offseason, a figure that projects at $17.5 million. That’s not going to be an unreasonable cost for a second wideout, but the Chargers have Herbert on a massive deal and also will pay McConkey before the 2027 season. Coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz also inherited Johnston from the previous regime, so they’re not as attached to him as they would be for one of their own picks,” ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell wrote.

“A trade might be the best thing for Johnston, who I think profiles best as a power slot receiver. With McConkey (and Allen this season) ahead of him for slot snaps, Johnston took only 13% of his snaps out of the slot in 2025. He averaged 2.6 yards per route run out of the slot, just about double what he averaged split out wide. A place where he can play in the slot on a regular basis might help unlock some untapped potential, and even if another team picks up his fifth-year option, it would be on the hook for only about $20 million combined over the next two seasons.”

Johnston has not lived up to his first-round status, and picking up the fifth year option on his contract could be a big decision. Based on what he’s been able to produce, it may not be the right choice.

If the Chargers trade him this offseason, they will at least get some form of compensation for him, especially if he becomes an expiring contract should his fifth-year option gets declined. There is potential for him to improve, though, which could be intriguing to teams needing a wide receiver.

BFTB community, what do you think of the possibility of Johnny getting traded this offseason? Chime off in the comments section below.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...811/should-chargers-trade-wr-quentin-johnston

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Mike McDaniel called off Bills interview in Florida

The Mike McDaniel situation continues with another chapter.

On Saturday morning, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that Mike McDaniel called off his meeting with the Bills in Florida on Friday and he’s officially withdrawn his name from Buffalo’s head coach search. At the same time, Russini notes that McDaniel is still in the running for the Raiders head coach job as of now.

Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel now has withdrawn from the head coach searches in both Buffalo and Cleveland. https://t.co/IToVtklOtJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2026

Earlier this week, it was reported by numerous insiders that the former head coach of the Dolphins was expected to become the Chargers’ next offensive coordinator. However, the Bolts have yet to make the move official with any sort of announcement. As things stand, McDaniel has taken his name out of the searches for both the Buffalo and Cleveland jobs.

Where that currently leaves him is seemingly between the Las Vegas gig and calling the offense for the Chargers. McDaniel could very well be using the Raiders job as leverage to earn a better pay day with the Bolts and I personally think that is the case. Taking over one of the worst franchises in the NFL as opposed to taking a year off head coach duties to coach one of the league’s best quarterbacks sounds like a no brainer before pursuing his next head coach job in 2027.

At the end of the day, nothing is for certain until they put ink to paper. Let’s just hope that happens sooner than later for the Chargers and McDaniel.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...cdaniel-called-off-bills-interview-in-florida

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers interview Rams’ Aubrey Pleasant for DC position

On Saturday morning, the Chargers announced they have completed an interview with Rams assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Pleasant has been with the Rams since 2023 and previously spent a four-year stint in LA coaching cornerbacks. Both Rams stints sandwich a two-year stretch where Pleasant coached defensive backs for the Lions (2021-2022) and was a offensive consultant for the Packers (2022).

we’ve completed an interview with Aubrey Pleasant for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/2A5Nc4Jmyv

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 24, 2026

Pleasant played collegiately for the University of Wisconsin from 2005-2009. He went undrafted before immediately starting his career in coaching at Grand Blanc High School in Michigan. From 2011-2012, he was a graduate assistant and assistant defensive backs coach at Michigan.

During the past two preseasons, Pleasant was given the chance to act as the Rams head coach in a game against the Chargers. Pleasant went 2-0 in those games, winning 13-9 in 2024 and 23-22 in 2025.

This past season, the Rams finished with the 20th-ranked passing defense, allowing 223.1 yards through the air per game. The prior year, they ranked 19th and allowed an average of 216.7 passing yards per game.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...nterview-rams-aubrey-pleasant-for-dc-position

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Philip Rivers pulls out of Bills HC search

On Monday morning, multiple NFL insiders reported that former Chargers quarterback Phillips Rivers has pulled out of consideration for the Bills’ head coach search after interviewing with the team this past week. Rivers came out of retirement this season to join the Colts and help them make a late playoff push, the Indy went 0-3 in Weeks 15-17 leading to their elimination before the end of the regular season.

Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the #Bills’ coaching search, as @DMRussini reported. NFL head coaching might very well be in his future, just not right now. Sounds like he enjoyed the process with Buffalo but now isn’t the right time for him and his family. pic.twitter.com/9zgNk5IuZh

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 26, 2026

Since retiring following the 2020 season, Rivers has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama where he has coached his son Gunner into one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects. Gunner will enter his senior season at St. Michael later this year and it’s likely Rivers looks to move up in the coaching ladder following his move to college.

Rivers likely took the chance to interview for a head coach gig to gain experience for the future, not with the full intention of potentially leading a franchise with zero college or professional coaching on his resume. Even at 44 years old, Rivers still had more than enough to compete in the modern NFL. It’s highly unlikely he ever steps on the field again in pads, but the wealth of knowledge and experience he could bring to any team, including a fiery competitive spirit, would be special, even for a NFL franchise.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...37/philip-rivers-pulls-out-of-bills-hc-search

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers sign DT Teair Tart to 3-year extension

On Monday, just hours after the Chargers announced the official hiring of Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, the team announced another signing with one of their best defenders from the 2025 season.

Per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, the Chargers are inking defensive tackle Teair Tart to a three-year deal worth up to $37.5 million. That would only make Tart the 30th-highest paid defensive tackle in the league, putting him just behind D.J. Jones of the Broncos and Grover Stewart of the Colts.

Deal is 3 years up to $37.5 million, source says https://t.co/jGJn4fyuw5

— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) January 26, 2026

Tart played in all 17 games for the Chargers in his first season as a starter. It was also his first year he started every game of a regular season and he did it all while being one of the most consistent and impactful players for the Bolts. He recorded 32 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four pass deflections, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during the regular season before adding a sack, two tackles for loss, and a pass deflection against the Patriots in the wild card round.

The veteran ended the year with a 67.9 overall season grade by Pro Football Focus, good for second best of his career when he’s played at least 400 snaps in a season. His run defense grade of 73.3 was the best mark of his career and his 21 stops — constituting a failed play by the offense — were also the second-highest total of any season in his career.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...argers-sign-dt-teair-tart-to-3-year-extension

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers Daily Links: Tuesday Open Thread

Good morning, Chargers fans!

You know what to do!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:​

Why Mike McDaniel and the Chargers are a perfect fit (Chargers.com)

Here’s why extending Teair Tart was an easy call for the Chargers (Chargers.com)

The Chargers interviewed two more names for their defensive coordinator opening (Chargers Wire)

The Chargers learned their lesson, sign their best defensive tackle to an extension (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:​

Shedeur Sanders is replacing Drake Maye in this year’s Pro Bowl Games due to the latter being in the Super Bowl (ESPN)

Four offseason lessons from two unlikely Super Bowl teams (ESPN)

Five bold predictions for this year’s Super Bowl (CBS Sports)

32 unsung heroes from the 2025 NFL season (NFL.com)

Garrett Bolles believes the Broncos will be a free agent destination this offseason (Pro Football Talk)

Projecting the first half of the NFL Top 100 for 2026 (Sports Illustrated)

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...2829/chargers-daily-links-tuesday-open-thread

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers defensive lineman earns praise from analyst

The Los Angeles Chargers had one of the best defenses in the NFL this past season as Jesse Minter led the group to the number five overall unit in the league.

Minter became the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, but there are still a number of players that could stand out for the team that are still on the roster. One of those players is defensive lineman Teair Tart, who was named the unsung hero of the Chargers by NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra.

“Tart brought the beef to the Chargers’ stingy defense. The sixth-year pro led the Chargers with 12 run stuffs, and his 5.3% run-stuff rate was the sixth best among all defensive linemen in 2025, per NGS. With swift but powerful moves, the 315-pounder muddled the middle of offensive lines, taking on double-teams against the run and pushing the pocket in passing situations,” Patra wrote.

“He generated 18 total pressures and a sack from his defensive tackle position, per PFF (including playoffs), and he helped key a run defense that finished fourth in the NFL in the regular season in EPA per called rush (-0.16). Little wonder that the Bolts wanted to keep him around; per a Monday report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the team agreed to terms with Tart on a three-year, $37.5 million extension.”

Tart should be with the Chargers for the next three seasons. His contributions have clearly been noticed by the front office. He is expected to be a key part of the Chargers defense moving forward, and the team will need him if it wants to maintain the success that it had in 2025.

BFTB community, what do you think of Tart’s extension and how does it affect the Chargers moving forward? Chime off in the comments section below with your thoughts.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...s-defensive-lineman-earns-praise-from-analyst

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers interview trio of in-house names for defensive coordinator

On Monday, the Chargers announced on Monday that they had completed a trio of interviews with in-house coaches for their defensive coordinator opening. They were outside linebackers/edge rushers coach Dylan Roney, safeties coach Adam Fuller, and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale.

we’ve completed an interview with Steve Clinkscale for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/70Axoq0xF3

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 27, 2026

Roney finished his second season with the Chargers after following Jim Harbaugh out to Los Angeles from the University of Michigan. From 2021-2023, Roney was a graduate assistant for the Wolverines, mainly helping on the defensive side of the ball with game planning and day-to-day operations.

The 2025 season was Fuller’s first coaching at the NFL level. The former defensive coordinator for Florida State had a strong year coaching Derwin James and the rest of the safety room that featured standout performances from veteran Tony Jefferson and rookie R.J. Mickens. James was also named a Second-Team All-Pro for the second consecutive season.

Clinckscale has been seen by many as the most ready and preferred choice to replace Jesse Minter should the Chargers choose to roll with an in-house name. The veteran coach cut his teeth at the college level for 23 years before joining Harbaugh’s staff in 2024. Under Clonkscale, the defense has finished top 10 in both passing yards allowed and interception rate while allowed just 40 touchdowns to 34 picks over that span. The latter two numbers are good for third best in the league from 2024-2025.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...o-of-in-house-names-for-defensive-coordinator

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers make it official with new OC Mike McDaniel

The Chargers have finally made it official with their own unique announcement regarding their new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

After about a week since the initial reports that the Bolts were expected to hire McDaniel to replace Greg Roman, the social media team dropped a snippet from a video with McDaniel wearing the powder blue and gold while being instructed how the “introduction video” will be shot. At the end, McDaniel introduces himself as the offensive coordinator for the Chargers.

pic.twitter.com/puLqoEeiW5

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 26, 2026

Minutes later, the social team dropped a more familiar post announcing the hire:

mike drop

we've named Mike McDaniel offensive coordinator → https://t.co/FDumIl8Lzh pic.twitter.com/tUoPR8Jg4x

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 26, 2026

The Chargers have now filled one of their two coordinator openings for the 2026 season. The next step, at least on the offensive side, is to find their next offensive line coach. As of now, the number priority in that area for the Chargers should be going after former Falcons OL coach Dwayne Ledford who is widely

With the hire, one thing we can do now is turn towards pending Dolphins free agents and see what players make sense, if at all, for the Chargers to target later this year.

For the first time since Kellen Moore, Chargers fans can now be fully and apologetically excited about the guy calling plays for Justin Herbert.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...rs-make-it-official-with-new-oc-mike-mcdaniel

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers hire Western Michigan DC Chris O’leary as new defensive coordinator

On Wednesday afternoon, just hours after his interview with the team, the Chargers announced they are hiring former safeties coach and Western Michigan defensive coordinator to call their defense for 2026 and beyond.

O’Leary was hired by Jim Harbaugh to his initial staff in 2024 and quickly made waves in his first season with LA. Following the trade for safety Elijah Molden, O’Leary was tasked with getting him up to speed on short notice, eventually leading to a standout season that earned Molden a three-year extension with the Bolts. He also oversaw the rebound of safety Derwin James who earned his first of two back-to-back Second-Team All-Pro honors under O’Leary in 2024.

on lock

we've agreed to terms with Chris O'Leary to be our defensive coordinator → https://t.co/njLqhRyboS pic.twitter.com/EKX2mQUpco

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 29, 2026

As the defensive coordinator for Western Michigan, his unit ended the year ranked ninth at the FBS level in points allowed per game at 17.4. The Broncos also finished 19th in total defense (305.5) after ending the prior season before his hiring ranked 108th.

O’Leary spent six seasons before his first Chargers stint at Notre Dame where he helped coach players such as Kyle Hamilton, Xavier Watts, and current Bolts cornerback Cam Hart.

Following the announcement of his hire, current Chargers defenders Daiyan Henley, Tony Jefferson, and Molden all went on social media to express their excitement for their new defensive coordinator.

Let’s WORK CO !!! ️️ https://t.co/W17KmNA2fK pic.twitter.com/0q8RrtVNld

— THE RANGER (@daiyan_henley11) January 29, 2026

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...-dc-chris-oleary-as-new-defensive-coordinator

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Bucky Brooks gives Chargers a tried-and-true pass rusher in new ‘26 mock

Following the Ravens hiring former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to be their next head coach, the chances of the Chargers re-signing edge rusher Odafe Oweh took a big hit. Despite Oweh telling reporters after the season that he hoped to stay in L.A., it’s hard not to think the Ravens won’t make a push to bring back their former player after the standout year he had.

There now is a worst-case scenario where veteran Khalil Mack chooses to retire or play elsewhere in hopes of chasing a Super Bowl trophy one last time, coupled with Oweh not returning to the Bolts. This means the defense could be down two of their top pass rushers from this past season, leaving them with Tuli Tuipulotu, an aging Bud Dupree, and 2024 fourth-rounder Kyle Kennard as their top three.

That’s not a great place to be with other big needs topping the offseason to-do list, but it’s nonetheless a reality.

It’s with all of this in mind that NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks has the Chargers selecting Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor with the 22nd-overall pick in his Mock Draft 1.0.

“The energetic pass rusher would make the perfect replacement for Khalil Mack, who is staring at both free agency and potential retirement. As a power rusher with outstanding instincts, Mesidor would complement Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu on the edges.“

If Akheem Mesidor was three years younger he’d be a top 15 pick.

– Always has a plan
– Violent hands
– Nonstop motor

This is my favorite rep pic.twitter.com/CWDiBO4vBD

— Omari (@OmariiBrown) January 23, 2026

The biggest downside to Mesidor is going to be his age. He turns 25 in early April and will be halfway to 26 by the time he plays his first snap in the NFL. This also means he will be dang near 30 when his rookie contract is up. Is that worth a first-round pick? I honestly do not think so. A player like him on day two? Sure thing. The premium position he plays still means something, but the age 30 threshold will be here (if you subscribe to that line of thought with NFL players) early in just his second contract. That’s not good for him personally (it will limit how long the deal is) and won’t be good for teams (who may be risking too much on a player already at this stage of his career).

But what do you all think? Would you select Mesidor in the first round? Yay or nay? Let us know all of your thoughts below!

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...s-a-tried-and-true-pass-rusher-in-new-26-mock

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers Daily Links: Thursday Open Thread

Good morning, Chargers fans!

You know what to do!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:​

Here’s why the Chargers chose Chris O’Leary to be their next defensive coordinator (Chargers.com)

Five things to know about new DC Chris O’Leary (Chargers.com)

The NFL world reacted to the Chargers hiring Chris O’Leary as their new DC (Chargers Wire)

Tony Jefferson was hyped to see the Chargers hire Chris O’Leary (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:​

Ranking the best NFL head coach hires since 2021 (ESPN)

The Browns are hiring Todd Monken as their next head coach (ESPN)

The Pro Football Hall of Fame issued a statement amid the backlash surrounding Bill Belichick’s snub (CBS Sports)

Check out Bucky Brooks’ first mock draft of the year (NFL.com)

Jim Bob Cooter had a second interview with the Eagles for their offensive coordinator opening (Pro Football Talk)

Mike McDaniel could be the top head coach candidate in 2027 (Sports Illustrated)

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...831/chargers-daily-links-thursday-open-thread