Hortiz also said Quentin Johnston is not being shopped around. Hence, it seems like they would want to keep the roster intact, and maybe add one or two pieces via draft. Justin Herbert has had plenty of setbacks, but the Chargers want to make sure depth in wideouts is not one of them.

Keenan Allen had 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns. He was the second-leading WR on the team, just 12 yards below Ladd McConkey. Even at 33 years old, he is still delivering the goods.

Ladd McConkey is still the WR1 of the team

McConkey has two years in the NFL and he has plenty of production for such a young career. He has 1,938 yards on 148 receptions and 13 touchdowns. McConkey has those numbers despite suffering a sophomore slump.

The fact is he should be even better this year. The Chargers hired Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator and his scheme could make McConkey one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL. It will be a sight to see.

The Chargers have lots of pressure on them

Since getting Justin Herbert, this team has had plenty of expectations. First, it was Anthony Lynn and then Brandon Staley. Hence, the team hired a top-tier head coach like Jim Harbaugh. Then, injuries hampered them, mainly in the offensive line.

Now, they have the O-line, the coach, a star coordinator, and are working on giving Herbert the best weapons they can. With the NFL Draft coming, the Chargers have a plethora of options to strengthen the roster.

“There’s a lot of rumors out there on Twitter (now X),” Chargers’ GM Joe Hortiz said. “And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I’ve had zero calls regarding Quentin.” The Chargers have until May 1st to pick up the receivers’ fifth-year option.

If they do, they will owe Johnston $18.1 million, fully guaranteed. Hortiz didn’t confirm the team was going to make that decision, and stated it is still thinking it through. After all, while they seem confident on Johnston’s talent, the price tag might not be what they want.

Johnston is a blessing and a curse

When playing at his top level, Johnston is a deep threat and touchdown menace. He is tall, physical, fast, and when focused, he is a problem to defend. Last season, he racked up 735 yards on 51 catches with eight touchdowns.

His big issue is the fact that he drops way too many balls. He is not consistent at all. In just three years, Johnston has 12 drops in his career. If Johnston is able to solve that issue and become more of a regular presence, he could be an incredibly talented wideout.

Johnston is yet to be regarded as WR1

The Chargers have plenty of weapons for Justin Herbert to exploit. Ladd McConkey had an incredible first year, but then suffered a sophomore slump. Now, it’s bounce back time. They also had rising tight end Oronde Gadsden. Hence, Johnston is a part of the offense, but not the first option on it.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, KC Concepcion visited both the Chargers and 49ers. The Chargers need a new wideout to join Ladd McConkey as WR1, while the 49ers signed Mike Evans. Both are in quick need to get another wideout to contend for it all.

Concepcion is probably the most mediatic wideout in this Draft. At least, he’s been getting spotlights from plenty of other teams like the Giants, Dolphins, Bills, Patriots, Titans, Raiders, Browns, and Panthers.

KC Concepcion recently sent a message to the NFL

Concepcion is not lacking any confidence. He recently left a message in an article written in the Players Tribune. He ended it with a clear confident “I’m the best receiver in this draft... I’m so much more than just a football player… if you’re a GM out there reading this, put me on your team… You’re not going to regret calling my name.”

The fact is Concepcion is regarded as a top wideout. Still, many regard him below Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon in the NFL Draft. Concepcion is not agreeing with those sentiments. Any team interested in him must be thrilled to see Concepcion have a chip on his shoulder.

Concepcion is a versatile, high-upside wideout

Able to play in the outside while being a primarily slot player, Concepcion can be lined up in many places on the field. That’s great for creative playcallers like Mike McDaniel (Chargers) and Kyle Shanahan (49ers).

Concepcion could open a whole new chapter on the book of a creative offensive mind. Hence, Concepcion’s sweepstakes have just gotten a whole more interesting.

Daniel Popper of The Athletic previously reported that tight end Oronde Gadsden could have a top-tier season thanks to McDaniel. Now, it’s been reported that Tre’ Harris is poised for a bigger role, and that Ladd McConkey could “have a bounce-back season in [Mike] McDaniel’s offense.”

With the possible departure of Keenan Allen, Harris could slide into that role, while also opening quite a lot of options for McConkey. Per Popper, “I can see McDaniel maximizing McConkey’s shiftiness and yards-after-the-catch ability on some of these same concepts.”

Mike McDaniel is creating plenty of hype

McDaniel’s arrival is creating quite the buzz inside the Chargers building. The fact is Justin Herbert has always been talented but hasn’t had the help needed to succeed. Now, with McDaniel, he could have two weapons develop into top-tier wide receivers.

McConkey has shown he could be a WR1. And for Harris, he is a second-round pick, so he has talent and there are expectations about him. McDaniel can help this offense as a whole. He must deliver on this expectations.

The Chargers are a boom-or-bust team

Now, the Chargers have the talent, the head coach, the quarterback, the offensive coordinator, and the prospects to win it all. If they don’t succeed this year, plenty of doubts and criticism will be over the franchise.

While the injury itself hasn’t been revealed, Fanatics reported that it is a minor one. Hence, there shouldn’t be a long time of recovery, but now the Chargers must face the scare and do their respective tests to see what’s up with the safety.

James is one of the best players on the Chargers roster, and is one of the best safeties in the NFL. However, he’s known to miss a couple of games every season for injuries. However, he is a very durable player and a captain.

Harrison Smith will replace James

The Fanatics Football Classic will continue and 6x Pro Bowler Harrison Smith will step in for the team known as Wildcats FFC. Smith hasn’t decided if he will retire or not, but after 15 NFL seasons, the end is nearer every single day that passes.

In fact, the Vikings released him in March 11th. Hence, the status of Smith is up in the air, except in the flag football event. Harrison, if he decides to come back, will be a cheap option for any team needing a safety.

The Chargers defense is old but productive

Going back to the Chargers, they have a strong defense, though a very experienced one. For instance, they re-signed Khalil Mack. They also have names like Denzel Perryman as well. It’s a very well-balanced defense that can produce at a high level.

Popper not only assured that Mitchell is a great fit for the Chargers, but also that the “acceleration and threatening speed to the edge will thrive” under the McDaniel scheme. Mitchell’s skill set compares to what McDaniel had in Miami with De’Von Achane, albeit with far lesser production.

Still, Mitchell had 341 yards averaging a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. Achane averaged a 5.7 yards per attempt, which led the NFL in players with more than 6.25 rushes per game. Hence, now they have an explosive player ready to roll.

Mitchell will be RB2 though

Despite all the buzz around his signing, it’s still expected that Mitchell will serve as the second back on the team, with Omarion Hampton carrying the bigger workload. Hampton is a more physical, straight runner than Mitchell.

Hampton is a more complete, high-volume back. Mitchell will be used as a specialized, change-of-pace weapon. Now, he might thrive and excel at that role, which is what Popper reported. The running game could be a massive unit for the Chargers.

The Chargers coaching staff is a rush-loving crew

Jim Harbaugh loves a good running game. Mike McDaniel is a sucker for a good running game. Hence, look at it now. Two running backs, two different skill sets, and two masterminds when it comes to running the football.

There’s also plenty of hype on Oronde Gadsden, the tight end. However, the real evolution in this offense will be how the running game helps unleash Justin Herbert. The quarterback could have plenty of help if the running backs do their job.

Per Popper’s report, the signing of tight end Charlie Kolar “will allow Oronde Gadsden to play in a role that maximizes the 2025 fifth-round pick’s receiving skill set.” That is great news for Justin Herbert, who found an unexpected weapon in the tight end last season.

Gadsden came out of nowhere and produced 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns. Now, Mike McDaniel and his highly-productive scheme could make Gadsden one of the best tight ends in football, at least in the receiving aspect of it.

McDaniel has made wonders with other tight ends

McDaniel had underwhelming tight ends his first two years as the Dolphins head coach, but once he got Jonnu Smith, things changed. In the 2024 season, Smith had 884 yards and eight touchdowns on 88 receptions.

McDaniel was also the 49ers offensive coordinator, where he had George Kittle. Now, Kittle is a superstar and he would arguably deliver in every scheme imaginable. Still, McDaniel’s scheme follows the Shanahan scheme, which means tight ends are not only important, but key to success.

The Chargers are not done

A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that the Chargers were keeping tabs on AJ Brown. While those rumors have dimmed, the fact is that this means the Chargers are in the market, active. After all, they have money to spend.

The Chargers have $59.5 million in cap space, which is the second-highest in the NFL this season. They have brought offensive players in Tyler Biadasz, Keaton Mitchell, Alec Ingold, and Charlie Kolar. They brought four names in defense, and plenty more will be spent.

The new agreement is reportedly worth up to $6.75 million for the 2026 season. This move provides the Chargers with veteran insurance behind Herbert, especially after Lance showed flashes of his potential during the 2025 preseason and his lone regular-season start against the Denver Broncos.

With this latest contract, many fans are looking back at the financial trajectory of a player who has struggled to find a permanent starting role. Despite the “bust” labels frequently used by critics, Lance has managed to navigate the NFL’s financial landscape with incredible success since being drafted in 2021.

How much money has Trey Lance earned in the NFL?

By the time his new contract with the Chargers concludes, Trey Lance will have amassed over $42 million in career earnings. The foundation of his wealth was his fully guaranteed rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, which paid out approximately $34.1 million—including a massive $22.1 million signing bonus received on day one.

Following his stints in San Francisco and Dallas, Lance signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in 2025 worth roughly $2 million. His career cash flow entering this offseason stood at approximately $36.1 million, a figure that now jumps significantly with his latest $6.75 million commitment from the Los Angeles front office.

While his career statistics—including just six starts and five passing touchdowns—may not reflect his draft pedigree, his earnings certainly do. Lance remains one of the highest-paid backups in the league, and if he performs well in 2026, he could finally position himself for a more lucrative starting opportunity when he hits unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Can Trey Lance become the starting quarterback for the Chargers?

No, Trey Lance does not have a realistic chance to start for the Chargers in the 2026 season. He will serve as Justin Herbert’s backup and, unless the starter gets injured, he will remain as the QB2 for the entire campaign.

Jim Harbaugh has been very clear that he likes what he sees in Lance. The quarterback became a free agent this offseason, yet the head coach was very interested in the club re-signing him for one more year.

At the center of the picture is quarterback Justin Herbert and a roster built around several high-profile contracts. Those deals shape the team’s long-term financial structure while leaving the front office with key decisions still looming.

Numbers alone rarely tell the whole story in the NFL. Between roster planning, potential restructures and the rhythm of free agency, their salary cap outlook could quietly influence how Los Angeles approaches a pivotal offseason.

How much is the Chargers’ cap space in 2026?

The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to have about $99.5 million in available cap space for the 2026 season, the highest total in the NFL under the offseason Top-51 accounting rule, according to data from Spotrac.

The projection is based on an adjusted team salary cap of roughly $303.3 million, which includes the league’s estimated cap for 2026—around $301.2 million—plus rollover space from the previous season and minor adjustments.

After accounting for their top 51 contracts and existing financial obligations, the franchise still retains nearly $100 million in flexibility. A major portion of the Chargers’ cap structure revolves around franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.

His contract carries a cap hit of about $46.3 million in 2026, the largest on the roster and roughly 15% of the team’s total cap allocation. Other significant charges include safety Derwin James at approximately $24.6 million and left tackle Rashawn Slater at $23.8 million, reflecting the team’s investment in cornerstone players on both sides of the ball.

Despite those sizable contracts, their books remain relatively clean. Spotrac estimates the team will carry around $5.5 million in dead money, a modest figure compared to many NFL teams that often exceed $20–30 million in dead cap.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the Chargers are “keeping tabs on the situation” of AJ Brown. This would bring one of the most deadly weapons in the NFL to a team in desperate need to give elite QB Justin Herbert a chance to win.

While the Chargers have Ladd McConkey, the fact is there is not a receiver with the quality of Brown on the roster. Keenan Allen is past his prime, and while he wants to remain with the Chargers, he is an unrestricted free agent. Quentin Johnston is a deep threat, but he also is a WR2 at best.

Justin Herbert would have a field day throwing to Brown

Herbert has one of the best arms in football. Having a weapon like Brown would unlock a new level in his game, especially considering Mike McDaniel is the new offensive coordinator of the team.

Brown is elite at every single level of the field, and Herbert could find him in every way possible. Whether it’s in the middle of the field, outside the numbers, or a simple screen pass, Brown will deliver. While the price is heavy, the Chargers must feel like this opportunity is once in a lifetime.

What’s AJ Brown’s contract?

Brown is in the middle of a three-year, $96 million contract extension. Hence, he is under contract until 2029. So, if the Chargers trade for him, they don’t have to worry about extensions anytime soon.

However, as of right now, his contract contains four void years (2030-2033), which entail a massive $53.5 million cap charge in 2030. Hence, the Chargers would likely try to reestructure the contract. Still, that’s only if they land the services of the wideout.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Chargers are hiring Adam Gase as passing game coordinator. This means he will work very closely with Justin Herbert. Gase was last seen coaching the New York Jets in the NFL.

After that, it’s been a five-year hiatus for a coach that seemed like the NFL passed him over. While Mike McDaniel will oversee all things offense with head coach Jim Harbaugh, having someone like Gase might be troublesome if he is indeed outdated with the current NFL landscape.

Gase has a very bad reputation

Gase rose to prominence in the NFL thanks to being the Broncos OC during the Peyton Manning days. That granted him the Dolphins HC position from 2016 to 2017. He had a 23-25 record with the Dolphins, but that didn’t stop the Jets from hiring as the head coach too. It was a disaster, even if he had now-Super Bowl winner Sam Darnold under center. He ended up with a 9-23 record with the Jets. Overall, his HC record is 32-48 and no one saw him since then.

Since 2024, Gase was a strategic advisor for the football intelligence, technology, and media company The 33rd Team alongside Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia. Hence, Gase has been watching the NFL from outside of the bubble. It’s a really weird hire by the Chargers.

The Chargers have a lot of pressure on their shoulders

The Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2018 season. After that, they’ve missed four playoff trips and have also lost three times in the Wild Card Round. At first, they changed the coach to bring back Jim Harbaugh. Now, they changed the OC and brought the mastermind Mike McDaniel to call plays. Those two paired with an elite talent like Justin Herbert makes this offense a force to be reckoned with.