The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Los Angeles Chargers and preview how it might perform this season.
Los Angeles Chargers 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Chargers allowed 4.3 yards per carry to running backs (16th) in 2025, but they were second in the rate of negative runs forced. There will be a new defensive coordinator leading this group, but Chris O'Leary was with the team in 2024 before his one year leading Western Michigan’s defense, so there likely will not be wholesale changes. Teair Tart was re-signed after reestablishing himself as a quality option against the run over his first two years with the team. A third-round pick last year, Jamaree Caldwell also performed well against the run. Justin Eboigbe picked up the pass rush slack, and Dalvin Tomlinson was added to the mix in free agency.
The Chargers finished 16th in pressure rate (36.9%) last season, ranking 10th with 45 sacks. Tuli Tuipulotu had the best season of his career, recording 13 sacks with an elite 17.9% pressure rate. That rate ranked sixth among all qualified pass rushers. The Chargers lost Odafe Oweh in free agency, but Khalil Mack signed a one-year deal to return after nabbing 5.5 sacks in 12 games last year. Fellow veteran Bud Dupree will also return, and Akeem Mesidor was added in the first round.
The Chargers did not get great play out of their linebacker unit last season. Daiyan Henley took a big step back against the run, though he still allowed just 6.3 yards per target and a 78.9 quarterback rating in coverage. Denzel Perryman was limited to just 10 games, with Troy Dye filling in as the No. 3 option. A 2024 third-round pick, Junior Colson missed all of last season on injured reserve and has played just 218 snaps in the league.
The Chargers allowed 6.6 yards per pass attempt (8th) last season and finished eighth in EPA allowed per pass. Tarheeb Still continued to play at a high level in his second season, but Cam Hart did not fare as well as a sophomore. He has made plays on the ball through two seasons, though, with 18 passes defensed in 30 games. Donte Jackson played the third-most snaps among the returning corners, but he was better per coverage snap than both Still and Hart.
Derwin James got back on track while working with new DC Chris O'Leary in 2024, and he kept that momentum going with a great 2025 season in his usual Swiss Army Knife role. Elijah Molden is not coming off his best season and missed some time last year, but his breakout came while working with O’Leary in 2024, which gives hope of a bounceback. Tony Jefferson re-signed in free agency to handle the No. 3 duties, a spot that should continue to see a lot of snaps. 2025 sixth-round pick RJ Mickens showed well across 328 rookie snaps, giving the Chargers even more depth.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
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- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams
