Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is finally here, and all eyes are on the Los Angeles Chargers, wondering if they can finally shed that cursed “what if” label. This team has hit the playoffs three times in the last four years, but the frustrating truth is they haven’t snagged a single postseason win. Now, with Mike McDaniel stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, the buzz is real: Justin Herbert’s offense is primed to reach an entirely new level.
McDaniel’s Blueprint: Speed and Protection
McDaniel, fresh off his run as the Miami Dolphins head coach, is taking over for Greg Roman, and his game plan for Herbert sounds exactly like what this team needs. The focus? A high-paced offense that moves the ball FAST and, critically, keeps Herbert’s jersey clean. Protecting that man is non-negotiable if they want to get that strong run game McDaniel is known for going. Pro Bowler Joe Alt is already raving, saying their approach to the run game has “been much different.” Herbert has been consistent, no doubt, but now he’s got the pieces around him to really cook. You love to hear that kind of confidence from the trenches.
Cardinals’ Uphill Battle Starts Now
Meanwhile, across the field, the Arizona Cardinals are kicking off a season that CBS Sports predicts could end with the worst record in the entire league. They’re coming off a brutal 3-14 last season, which was the NFC’s absolute worst and tied for the worst in the NFL. They brought in Mike LaFleur, the former Rams offensive coordinator, as their new head coach to lead this rebuild. Remember that third overall draft pick they had? They used it on a running back, a move that definitely raised some eyebrows given how many holes are still gaping on that roster. It’s a tough spot for Arizona, especially considering they kept defensive coordinator Nick Rallis despite the defense struggling big time in 2025 and showing similar issues in preseason points. This is going to be a long season for them.
O-Line Rollercoaster Threatens Chargers
Despite all the hype around McDaniel and Herbert, there’s a massive red flag waving right out of the gate for the Chargers’ offensive line. They gave up 60 sacks last season, which was the second-most in the entire league. So, yeah, they knew they needed help and made additions, but CBS Sports still hit them with a C- for their free agency moves, saying they didn’t use their cap space effectively. The biggest gut punch? Key addition center Tyler Biadasz, who was supposed to anchor that line, suffered a major knee injury this offseason and is already on injured reserve. Now, it’s rookie Jake Slaughter stepping up into that starting center role for Week 1. The silver lining is that tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, who both missed time last year, are healthy and ready to go. It’s a massive challenge right away, but if anyone can make it work, it’s Herbert.
This Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff from SoFi Stadium, live on CBS and Paramount+, is more than a simple Week 1 game. It’s a huge test for McDaniel’s new Chargers offense and a chance to see if Herbert really can elevate his game beyond consistent to truly dominant. The Chargers are favored by -9.5, which tells you what Vegas expects against a rebuilding Cardinals squad. But with a rookie snapping the ball, can that O-line hold up? You gotta tune in to find out if this is the year the Chargers stop being the “what if” team and start being the “what’s next” team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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