New: The Chargers were 32nd in pass block win rate in 2025. 31st in run block win rate. Most allowed pressures in the league (288) on Herbert and second most regular season sacks. Rashawn Slater + Joe Alt are back. They've rebooted the IOL-it is enough? boltbeat.com/grading-joe-...

Day 3 of grading each Chargers position: today, the TEs. -Charlie Kolar -Oronde Gadsden II -David Njoku On paper, a group that should mesh well with what McDaniel wants to do out of 12 + 13 personnel. boltbeat.com/grading-char...

boltbeat.com/grading-omar... Day 2 of grading each Chargers position group: today, the running backs-a group that I think has a strong argument for the deepest position on the team. Hampton, Mitchell, Vidal on paper is the best RB room the team has had in a long time.

New series this offseason: Grading each Chargers position room heading into the 2026 season. Up first-a confidence interval on the 3 rostered QBs. boltbeat.com/grading-just...

📧: Chargers Offseason Q&A pod this week, month left till camp. Let's kill some time together-drop a question below and I'll get to it on the show!👇

Early thoughts on the Chargers kick return battle with names like Derius Davis, Keaton Mitchell, and others in the mix. Rookie WR Brenen Thompson likely in the mix as well, but did not practice on Wednesday/Thursday after leaving Tuesday's practice. boltbeat.com/chargers-hav...

Chargers' focus turns to Tuli Tuipulotu after getting a deal done with Derwin James this offseason. There's still a month until the start of training camp. When asked if he'd consider a "hold in" like Slater in '25: "Time will tell. We'll see what's up" boltbeat.com/tuli-tuipulo...

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel to WR Quentin Johnston: "Your drive phase right now is gonna f*ck the league up"

Kayode Awosika was considered to be a depth signing by the Chargers late into FA. But he's had the most OTA reps with the 1s at LG w/ Jake Slaughter also mixing in. Still >2 months to decide the LG spot-but an interesting development to say the least. boltbeat.com/surprise-cha...

A.J. Brown was reportedly interested in the Chargers, but they never felt the same way. GM Joe Hortiz has spent heavy draft capital on WRs during his tenure. Building that way fits his Ravens ethos. give me your take: should they have been in on Brown? boltbeat.com/chargers-rep...

McDaniel watched every Herbert game. JH: "He put together a few hundred play clip presentation. He'd throw in some of our clips where we could've done things better...it was a well put together presentation that I really saw the vision." boltbeat.com/justin-herbe...

Wrote about the full extension numbers being released for Derwin James and the Chargers. In short: The All-Pro safety gets a lot of money upfront while the Chargers maintain some long term flexibility-a deal that works fairly well for both sides. boltbeat.com/full-numbers...

New pod: Talked about some of the key storylines in the first week of Chargers OTAs -Justin Herbert returns -Derwin James cashes in💸 -Mike McDaniel's early impact being felt🕶️ -Thoughts on some position competitions at TE, WR, and IOL youtu.be/EfHVtGkeams

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says Justin Herbert is at OTAs today. "I was happy he went to support Madison [Beer] at the music tour." "He told me he wasn't going to be here for two weeks and my reaction was, 'do you need a ride to the airport?'"

Wrote about the final contract #'s for David Njoku coming in. Much like Keenan's deal last year, Hortiz + the front office got very solid value. For Njoku, he gets to play in a very TE friendly offense that could set him up nicely for FA next year. boltbeat.com/final-contra...

Derwin James was once benched by interim coaches in Brandon Staley's defense in the 2023 season against Buffalo. Two years later: with back to back All-Pro seasons under Jesse Minter, he becomes the highest paid safety in the league (again). boltbeat.com/chargers-iss...

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz admitted to having contact with FA WR Keenan Allen's representation for the first time this offseason. Some thoughts, including a different question than last offseason: is Allen a fit for what Mike McDaniel wants in 2026? boltbeat.com/joe-hortiz-p...

Chargers QB Justin Herbert has missed the two last voluntary practices open to the media. But it's not mandatory minicamp. It's not even OTAs-there's no need to panic (yet). boltbeat.com/justin-herbe...

Both Chargers OC Mike McDaniel and Asst. GM Chad Alexander will reportedly take part in the NFL's revamped accelerator program this week. 2027 opportunities loom for both as Los Angeles looks to take advantage of their window this season. boltbeat.com/mike-mcdanie...

Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell admitted to being motivated by the Ravens not picking up his RFA tender. "I was surprised," Mitchell admitted. "I ain't gonna lie, I was surprised for sure." on the Chargers @ Ravens game this year: "It's gonna be fun." boltbeat.com/keaton-mitch...

Chargers Mock 3.0: Issued a no trades challenge to myself-just five picks: how should the Chargers make the best of it if they can't get the right deals? boltbeat.com/chargers-moc...

New pod: Talked about 15 players from the 2026 NFL Draft that I really love and how they may be potential Chargers fits-went all around the board, from Round 1 to true UDFA territory. Picked (at least) one player from every position except kicker. Fun exercise! youtu.be/c518vMKvtUw?...

Spoke with Chargers S Tony Jefferson on the pod this week about retirement, unretirement, and everything inbetween! On YT now: youtu.be/zDRZwhsa87k?...

Kimani Vidal was the Chargers' top rusher in 2025. 4 months earlier, he would've never imagined it. "There’s motivation for every week. I got cut. That never left my mind. It still doesn’t leave my mind." He spoke to me about his first 2 NFL seasons. boltbeat.com/chargers-kim...

@jordanreid.bsky.social joined me for this week's episode of Bolt Breakdowns to talk about the draft and Chargers thoughts at 22! Also: -Some reaction to the Kayode Awosika signing -5 lessons I learned in free agency from the Chargers youtu.be/SS-nU1MLdzI

My 2026 Chargers Mock 2.0 is live: reconfiguring the draft strategy around Joe Hortiz's free agency boltbeat.com/chargers-7-r...

My 2026 Chargers Mock 2.0 is live: reconfiguring the draft strategy around Joe Hortiz's free agency boltbeat.com/chargers-7-r...

Talked about the first week of Chargers free agency and where the roster stands after it: -An awesome running back room after signing Keaton Mitchell -Shoring up the blocking at TE/FB -The offensive line moves (or lack thereof) -ideas for acquisitions in the following FA waves youtu.be/EtqgfKI0dys

Chargers DT Dalvin Tomlinson (#94) can still get after it as a run defender. Very much looking forward to seeing him work with Mike Elston in the same way Poona Ford, Teair Tart have previously.

The Chargers rewarded standout ST ace LB Del'Shawn Phillips with a contract extension. Phillips had the 3rd most special teams tackles (18) in '25 and earned a second team All-Pro. He and Marlowe Wax also flashed on defense at the end of the season. boltbeat.com/chargers-rew...

On the goal line, between the 20s, screens, you name it: very easy to see why Chargers OC Mike McDaniel wanted FB Alec Ingold back

Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore (#8) is a very intriguing Day 2 option for me in the world where the Chargers have to replace Odafe Oweh or Khalil Mack. 10 sacks, 41 pressures, 10.5 TFLs last season.

New: The Chargers have the most cap space in the NFL. They'll need every bit of it as they replace potentially 3 IOL spots with uncertainty around their star EDGE rushers. It is a make or break offseason for Joe Horitz, one that requires no half measures. boltbeat.com/chargers-sur...

New draft series I'll be doing: one player I like at every position on each projected day (1, 2, 3) of the draft. First up-Tight end targets for the Chargers. boltbeat.com/one-tantaliz...

New pod: Ranking the Chargers cut candidates by order of likelihood with contract impacts + thoughts on their 2025 performances. -Mekhi Becton + Bradley Bozeman are goners -Decisions to be made on Will Dissly, Bud Dupree -other possible cuts in March (and the summer) and more! youtu.be/AAwHJF6Fb7Q

My Chargers Mock Draft 1.0: Imagining what the draft could look like before free agency in March. boltbeat.com/chargers-moc...

New pod: Chargers Free Agency primer with March on the horizon -Where the Chargers sit financially💸 -The fates of Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack🤔 -external FA fits I like (including a relatively deep TE class) and taking your viewer questions! youtu.be/4IJ---bh57Q

If Keenan Allen wants to remain with the Chargers like he says, he probably will. The vet WR still showed he could be productive in '25. But, the gameplan cannot let Ladd McConkey take a backseat as often as he did last season in favor of Allen targets. boltbeat.com/keenan-allen...

Keenan Allen via Zach Gelb saying he "fully intends" to play football in 2026 and be on the Chargers

@katson.bsky.social joins me this week on Bolt Breakdowns for a 2026 early Chargers Draft preview: -Senior + Shrine Bowl standouts🔥 -How to address the OL this offseason🤔 -Sneaky position needs the fanbase isn't talking about -potential Alex Day 3 RB candidate emerges youtu.be/pCZNNWcjrrU

Chargers FA Odafe Oweh is getting a big contract. He had 7.5 sacks w/ LA + added in 3 more sacks in the playoffs. Priority #1 for Hortiz should be extending him before March. boltbeat.com/latest-proje...

new pod, ICYMI

@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social joins the show this week to talk about the new OC of the Chargers, Mike McDaniel. -his journey in the NFL -the fit with Jim Harbaugh🧥👖 -maximizing Justin Herbert⚡️ -potential offseason player acquisition fits for his offense🤔 youtu.be/-D-fQd2yfQA

The new 2026 Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff trio HC: Jim Harbaugh OC: Mike McDaniel DC: Chris O'Leary

@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social joins the show this week to talk about the new OC of the Chargers, Mike McDaniel. -his journey in the NFL -the fit with Jim Harbaugh🧥👖 -maximizing Justin Herbert⚡️ -potential offseason player acquisition fits for his offense🤔 youtu.be/-D-fQd2yfQA

Now that it's official, I spoke with The Athletic's Daniel Popper about the hiring of new Chargers OC Mike McDaniel last week! -Why he and Jim Harbaugh have more synergy than people think -What it means for Herbert -a schematic overhaul, even if it is only a year www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC-j...

I cant do another quarter of romo

kick was hopeless but that was some incredible situational awareness from maye and vrabel

Playoff week in Foxborough: drop a question below and I’ll get to it in tomorrow’s special pregame Pats-Chargers Bolt Breakdowns Q + A. ⚡up