The timing gives the Chargers a chance to rest and regroup before a challenging stretch of games. Los Angeles is scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 before its break, then return to the field for a matchup against the Rams.

With no game on the calendar for Oct. 25, Chargers fans can look ahead to the team’s next matchup and what it could mean for the AFC West race. The bye week also offers the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the team.

When will the Los Angeles Chargers play their next game in 2026?

The Los Angeles Chargers will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 of the NFL season. The game is scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at SoFi Stadium, with the Chargers designated as the visiting team.

They will face their crosstown rivals after a difficult opening stretch under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Their schedule includes a Week 6 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 18, followed by the bye on Oct. 25.

That break gives the team an opportunity to recover before returning to the field in November. The Week 8 matchup will be the first time the Chargers face the Rams coming out of a bye in the history of the series.

Although both teams share SoFi Stadium as their home venue, they will be the road team for this contest. After the Rams game, they will remain at SoFi Stadium to host the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov. 8, in Week 9.

Key takeaways

• Scheduled Week 7 bye gives Los Angeles Chargers time off on Sunday, October 25.
• Sunday, November 1 marks Chargers return against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.
• Road team designation applies to the Chargers at SoFi Stadium against the Rams.

Ladd McConkey has been ruled out due to a concussion suffered after he made a catch. Now, the Chargers are going to finish the game without their best receiver on the roster.

McConkey has dealt mainly with rib injuries throughout the season. However, he’s been banged up pretty much everywhere. Now, a head injury, which is always worrisome. The Chargers are 0-5 facing the 4-0 Chiefs.

When will Ladd McConkey be back?

The median time for an NFL player to return from a concussion is 9 days, though individual recovery times vary widely from just a few days to several weeks. About 25% to 38% of players return in time for their team’s next game (within 7 days).

Many other players miss multiple weeks or games depending on symptom severity and medical clearance. Hence, it will depend on the severity of the concussion to see how many games, if any, McConkey misses.

The NFL 5-step protocol

The NFL has no fixed timetable but it does require players to clear a strict, step-by-step return-to-participation process monitored by team medical staff and an Independent Neurological Consultant (INC):

1. Symptom-limited activity: Rest and limited physical/cognitive exertion.
2. Aerobic exercise: Supervised stationary cycling or treadmill work (no resistance training).
3. Football-specific exercise: Non-contact drills and strength training for up to 30 minutes.
4. Club-based non-contact drills: Throwing, catching, and positional drills with the team (no contact).
5. Full football clearance: Full participation in practice after receiving clearance from both the team physician and the INC.

Key takeaways

• Ladd McConkey was ruled out against the Chiefs after suffering a concussion.
• The Chargers are 0-5 facing the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.
• The median time to return from an NFL concussion is 9 days.

Even though Patrick Mahomes admitted Kenneth Walker III helped convince Andy Reid to change the team’s offense, the Chiefs might need a miracle to overcome the absence of Rice from Kansas City’s wide receiver corps.

Rashee Rice has been ruled out for Week 6’s matchup with the Chargers due to hamstring and knee injuries sustained during Week 4’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Kansas City had hoped Rice would be available coming off the bye, but the team decided to sideline him as a precaution.

Chiefs WR depth chart

With Rashee Rice out of the picture, the Chiefs’ WR depth chart for their Week 6 matchup with the Bolts is quite depleted. Kansas City’s wideouts on the active roster include Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Nikko Remiggio, Andrew Armstrong, and Justin Watson.

With Rice sidelined by injury, the SMU product joins Jimmy Holliday, Tyquan Thornton, and Jeff Caldwell among the unavailable wide receivers, as the latter trio are all on injured reserve (IR).

What’s next for Chiefs?

After the AFC West duel in Week 6, the Chiefs’ schedule won’t get any easier. In fact, quite the contrary. Kansas City will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football before taking on the Denver Broncos, with both games on the road. Given that Rice was at one point close to playing in Week 6, the Chiefs will expect their star wide receiver to return in Week 7.

Key takeaways

• 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs face the 0-5 Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
• Rashee Rice ruled out for Week 6 due to Week 4 knee/hamstring injuries.
• Kansas City expects Rice to return for their Week 7 game at Seattle.

The Chargers made the decision not to trade Justin Herbert despite starting 0-5. However, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Chargers are not shopping anyone. All calls are answered the same: we’re not interested.

The trade deadline is on November 10, and while there is time for the Chargers to change their minds, they also think there is time to change their fortunes. However, they are facing the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs who are off a bye. Hence, if logic is to be believed, the Chargers should be 0-6 after Sunday.

The schedule isn’t kind to the Chargers

Not only are the Chiefs a tough out for the Chargers, but the rest of games before Week 11 vs the New York Jets are incredibly tough anyway. Hence, they could actually have to wait a while to get their first win.

• Week 6 at Kansas City
• Week 7 Bye
• Week 8 at LA Rams
• Week 9 vs Texans
• Week 10 at Baltimore

Chargers players who might be of interest

While Herbert is absolutely out of the market, players like Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Daiyan Henley, Donte Jackson, Denzel Perryman, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Tuli Tuipulotu could get calls and are in contract years.

Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, and Quentin Johnston could also be of interest. However, the price for these players might not be as high in any case. After all, they are performing in an underwhelming way and/or are in contract years.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Jim Harbaugh will not trade Justin Herbert despite starting the season 0-5.
• The Chargers are not shopping any players ahead of the November 10 trade deadline.
• Los Angeles faces the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs in their upcoming Week 6 game.

Despite mounting pressure and questions about whether the team should consider a rebuilding process, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the organization has no intention of trading its franchise quarterback.

The Chargers entered the season with high expectations after bringing in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, hoping his arrival would help elevate Herbert and turn the team into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Instead, the offense has struggled, and Los Angeles remains winless after five games. With the team’s postseason hopes already in jeopardy, the possibility of a major roster overhaul has become a topic of discussion.

Justin Herbert’s future with Chargers

Trading Justin Herbert could theoretically provide the Chargers with a massive collection of draft assets. One league executive told Schefter that it would be “really interesting” if Los Angeles considered moving its quarterback in exchange for three first-round picks.

Combined with the Chargers’ own first-round selection, that kind of return could give the organization four first-round picks to use in rebuilding the roster, especially with a potentially strong quarterback class expected in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Schefter acknowledged that the idea was intriguing, particularly given the team’s disappointing start and its lack of recent postseason success. The Chargers have not won a playoff game since the 2018 season, and their current struggles have raised questions about how they can return to contention.

Will Chargers trade Justin Herbert?

Nevertheless, the hypothetical trade scenario does not reflect the team’s actual plans. After hearing the proposal from the league executive, Schefter contacted a source within the Chargers organization to ask whether trading Herbert had been discussed.

The response was unequivocal, with the source shutting down the possibility before the conversation could go any further. “Let me be very clear about this. We have never even discussed that idea.”

The source’s response made it clear that Los Angeles has not considered moving Herbert, even amid its difficult start to the season. Schefter also indicated that the organization was not entertaining the possibility of listening to offers.

While the team’s results could continue to fuel outside speculation, the Chargers have drawn a firm line regarding their quarterback’s future. For now, Herbert remains central to their plans, and a trade is not on the table despite the potential draft capital such a move could bring.

Key takeaways

• The Chargers have no plans to trade Justin Herbert despite their 0-5 start.
• A trade could bring Los Angeles three first-round picks, but the idea remains hypothetical.
• A Chargers source confirmed the team has never discussed trading Herbert.

Harbaugh explained in a press conference why the team held McConkey back on Monday. It turns out the head coach considered playing his wideout; however, Harbaugh noted that his receiver was only available in an emergency scenario.

McConkey suffered a foot injury before Week 4. He also dealt with another setback earlier in the year, hurting his ribs during the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Now, the Chargers will await his return and hope he gets back to his best level.

Herbert struggles in McConkey’s absence

Quarterback Justin Herbert and the passing game struggled without McConkey on the field. Herbert finished 14 of 24 for 121 yards and threw just one touchdown. He was also intercepted once, with Brandon Jones picking him off during the contest, as both players generated different dynamics for the opposing defensive line.

Los Angeles briefly erased a 10-3 halftime deficit by outscoring the Broncos 13-0 during the third quarter. However, Denver forced the Chargers to fall apart from there, putting together a 14-0 fourth-quarter run to claim the victory.

Now, the Chargers must avoid a stunning 0-6 start. The Bolts went 1-15 overall in 2000, the last time they opened a season with that mark. It is a tough position, and it remains to be seen how the team can rebound, execute, and stay healthy moving forward.

The offensive situation

Justin Herbert produced enough early to give his team a fourth-quarter lead against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, then helped squander its best chance at a first win in the 2026 NFL season. His late fumble and interception sealed a 23-17 defeat, dropped the Chargers to 0-5, and intensified concern that his mistakes will define this season.

The final numbers did not fully capture the swing in the fourth quarter: the Chargers held a seven-point lead before their offense posted a turnover on downs, a lost fumble, and an interception on consecutive late opportunities to regain control.

Key takeaways

• Jim Harbaugh revealed Ladd McConkey was only available in an emergency scenario.
• A foot injury suffered prior to Week 4 kept Ladd McConkey sidelined.
• 14 of 24 passes for 121 yards were completed by Justin Herbert without McConkey.

The fourth quarter had 10:33 left to play and the Chargers were up 17-10 on the scoreboard. There was a 4th-and-1 play and the Chargers went for it. The Chargers failed to convert and gave the Broncos a short field. The Broncos ended up coming back and winning the game.

Harbaugh was filled with self-rage after the game. “I can’t think of a time where I’ve been more mad at myself,” Harbaugh said postgame, via Anthony Gharib of ESPN. He then added, “This team works so hard, played so valiantly. And yeah, I take 100% accountability for making that decision and turned the momentum of the game. So it was the wrong one, and I got to be right on those.”

The Chargers are arguably the most disappointing team in the NFL

Just three teams are 0-5 in the 2026 NFL season. Two of those teams were sort of predicted to be 0-5. The Miami Dolphins are in a full-on rebuild, while the Tennessee Titans are trying to figure out what they have in sophomore QB Cam Ward and the new regime between HC Robert Saleh and OC Brian Daboll. Meanwhile, the Chargers were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender.

Hence, them being 0-5 is absolutely shocking. Justin Herbert is playing at an all-time low, the running game is extremely defficient, the defense has taken a dip, and the team as whole looks to be in a black hole.

The Chargers schedule is still abysmal for them

The next games are as tough as they come for the Chargers. Hence, the team could be on the verge of absolute chaos as if things weren’t bad enough already. This is the schedule that remains for the Chargers:

• Week 6 at Kansas City
• Week 7 BYE
• Week 8 at Los Angeles (Rams)
• Week 9 vs Texans
• Week 10 at Baltimore
• Week 11 vs Jets
• Week 12 vs Patriots
• Week 13 at Tampa Bay
• Week 14 at Las Vegas
• Week 15 vs 49ers
• Week 16 at Miami
• Week 17 vs Chiefs
• Week 18 at Denver

Key takeaways

• The Chargers failed to convert a 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter, leading to Denver’s comeback win.
• Head coach Jim Harbaugh took full accountability for making the wrong fourth-down decision.
• Los Angeles is one of three 0-5 teams in the 2026 NFL season.

Nix reflected on his performance after the game, per reporter Zac Stevens. Comparing this week’s display to other games, the star quarterback definitely was not happy with how things turned out for him as a passer. “Eh, I don’t think it was the best,” Nix said.

Nix is going through the third season of his NFL career with the Broncos. He enjoyed an incredible high after leading Denver to the AFC Championship Game before going down with an injury. He looks to pick up where he left off as he leads the Broncos to another year of serious playoff contention.

Bo Nix’s performance vs Chargers

Bo Nix and the Broncos squeezed out a win over a Chargers squad that was winless going into the game. They certainly fended off a valiant effort from the hosts, even though the win was not pretty—a victory that speaks worse about the Chargers than it reflects well on the Broncos.

Los Angeles had the momentum for most of the day as it yearned for its first victory of the year, leading 17-10 going into the fourth quarter. This did not stop Denver from making a rally, scoring the last 13 points of the game in the last 15 minutes of regulation.

Nix completed 16 of his 27 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 10 yards on four carries in a 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5, a performance that fails to stand out if he aims to be among the best in the NFL.

J.K. Dobbins led the run game against the Chargers with 18 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for six yards. Evan Engram led receivers with four catches for 55 yards, while Courtland Sutton caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Key takeaways

• An 0-5 record leaves the Los Angeles Chargers winless following a Week 5 loss.
• “Eh, I don’t think it was the best,” stated Bo Nix regarding his performance.
• 16 of 27 passes were completed by Bo Nix for 123 yards in Week 5.

For this crucial game, Justin Herbert will have to rely on other weapons in the passing game. Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris are his two main options in that department.

The Bolts’ 0-4 start makes a win more urgent than ever. Having a depleted offense could prove to be a significant setback for the team.

What injury is McConkey dealing with?

Ladd McConkey has been dealing with a nagging foot injury that came back to bite him in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. After re-aggravating the foot during the second half of that game, he limped off the field and was ruled out.

The issue kept him completely out of practice all week heading into Week 5 against Denver. His absence on the gridiron presents another headache for Jim Harbaugh, especially at a time when his future as head coach is becoming a major topic of discussion.

McConkey’s impact on the team

Before getting banged up, McConkey was off to a super productive start as Justin Herbert’s go-to wideout. Through the first three full games (plus his brief appearance in Week 4), he hauled in 12 receptions on 17 targets for 183 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.

He was averaging a crisp 15.3 yards per catch, highlighted by a big 82-yard, 1-TD performance in the season opener against Arizona and a solid 66-yard outing against Buffalo in Week 3. When healthy, he was generating an efficient 100.9 passer rating when targeted, proving he was primed for a huge focal-point role in the Chargers’ passing game before the foot injury derailed his momentum.

Key takeaways

• Ladd McConkey is listed as questionable and not expected to play against Denver.
• Ladd McConkey missed practice all week after re-aggravating a foot injury in Week 4.
• Ladd McConkey recorded 183 receiving yards and one touchdown over four games this season.

According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, this makes much sense. “Khalil Mack to Chicago is something multiple league sources told me makes the most sense if both teams continue on their respective trajectories,” Jones said.

Mack is on an expiring contract, and it would take the Bears approximately $5 million -$6 million in cap space to take him on. They have $9 million available, and they desperately need a pass rush. Meanwhile, the Chargers are deep in a crisis.

Why it makes sense for the Bears to bring Mack back?

Macks is a cheap option with high upside. Even if he is 35 years old, Mack is still a force to be reckoned with. In 2026 alone, he has three sacks already, alongside with five quarterback hits. Despite the Chargers being 0-4, Mack has been a bright spot.

Meanwhile, Chicago is ninth on sacks this season with 10. However, no player on the Bears has more sacks than Mack as of now. Mack played for Chicago for four seasons (2018-2021), where he racked up 36 sacks.

The Bears are going for it all

The Bears are in win now mode. Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and a plethora of top-tier skill players in rookie deals is the recipe for a Super Bowl, at least for the Bears. Hence, adding an experienced, still productive pass rusher like Mack might be the icing on the cake.

Key takeaways

• Jonathan Jones reported that returning Khalil Mack to Chicago makes the most sense.
• Acquiring Mack would cost Chicago approximately $5 million to $6 million in cap space.
• Khalil Mack recorded 36 sacks during his four-season tenure with the Bears.

McDaniel is aware of this pressure, and even if Harbaugh admitted that McDaniel’s job is not in jeopardy, the OC knows that if things don’t improve, things can change.

“When you have high expectations and you’re getting the results we’re getting and you’re 0-4, that’s pretty standard operating procedure,” McDaniel said. He then added, “I would be foolish, or I would feel entitled, if I didn’t expect there to be disappointment. And so, if you want things to change and you want narratives to change, you have to change them through action collectively. If our results are better, that’s the only thing that matters.”

McDaniel’s stock in the NFL is at an all-time low

When McDaniel was hired as the Miami Dolphins head coach, everyone was hyped as he is a Kyle Shanahan protégé. The first couple of seasons were good, but then, results started to dim and he lost the locker room.

However, when the Chargers hired him, he was undoubtedly the best option as he was still viewed as an offensive mastermind. The Chargers are averaging a poor 16.8 points per game, which ranks 29th in the NFL.

The talent is there to lift the offense

When you look at Justin Herbert at the quarterback position, he is an elite talent. Ladd McConkey has proven in his rookie year (2024) that he can definitely be a WR1 on a team, and Omarion Hampton is a very talented back. Hence, it’s up to McDaniel to actually find a way to make them put points on the board.

Key takeaways

• The Los Angeles Chargers started their season 0-4 despite high preseason expectations.
• Mike McDaniel acknowledged his job pressure after the team’s disappointing start.
• The Chargers average 16.8 points per game, ranking 29th in the NFL.