The Chargers are kicking off their 2026 season against the Cardinals this weekend, and honestly, if you’re not buzzing about Justin Herbert right now, you’re sleeping on what’s about to go down. This dude is already being touted as a potential MVP candidate, and for good reason, with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel calling the shots.
Herbert’s MVP Quest Starts Now
The hype around McDaniel’s system and what it means for Herbert has been off the charts since the offseason. Everyone remembers that long-range touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston in the preseason game against the Rams, right? That was just a sneak peek, a little appetizer. A full game of Herbert absolutely slinging it in McDaniel’s offense should be pure poetry in motion. But let’s be real, it’s Week 1, and both Herbert and McDaniel gotta prove this marriage lives up to all the buzz. The entire league is watching to see if Sunday truly feels like a success, or if it was just preseason smoke.
New Toys and Interior O-Line Nightmares
McDaniel didn’t just bring a fresh playbook, he brought new weapons, too. He literally put up “wanted” posters for fullback Alec Ingold and running back Keaton Mitchell, and they signed both! Plus, tight ends Charlie Kolar and David Njoku are now in the mix, adding even more firepower. Sunday is their very first chance to show everyone why these players are gonna make this offense sing. What kind of usage does Ingold see as a fullback? Is Kolar emerging as a well-rounded receiving threat? What’s the tight end rotation between Kolar, Njoku, and second-year player Oronde Gadsden II look like? And how much will Mitchell cut into Omarion Hampton’s touches? The Chargers need to provide proof of concept this week, introducing fans to these new contributors and answering some of these critical questions.
But hold up, there’s a serious red flag staring them down in the trenches. That interior offensive line, with left guard Kayode Awosika, rookie second-round pick center Jake Slaughter, and right guard Cole Strange? It’s not exactly a unit you write home about. McDaniel has somehow made seemingly substandard trios work on the inside before, but this is Week 1, and they’re facing a monster. Walter Nolen III, who looked like a potential game-wrecker in limited action last season for Arizona, is back and he’s the absolute cornerstone of their defensive line. He’ll be looking to exploit LA’s biggest weakness on offense. If the Chargers want to keep things humming and Herbert upright, they absolutely HAVE to keep Nolen from making a huge impact. That means sending help his way and getting the ball out quickly to start the game.
Don’t Mess This Up
Los Angeles is favored by double digits on Sunday. Double digits! The fastest way to get dragged into a dogfight with an inferior opponent is by making unforced errors and letting them hang around. The Chargers would be smart to keep things on schedule, move the ball consistently, and control the clock. That should give them a comfortable lead to work with, widen their own margin of error, and take some pressure off having to be absolutely perfect in the first week of a brand-new scheme. This game is about setting the tone for Herbert, McDaniel, and the offense. They need to deliver without a hitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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