Can the Chargers Finally Break Their Playoff Curse in 2026?
The Charger faced immediate problems in the offseason of 2025. Losing one of their starting tackles before the season even began. Problems only worsened as injuries piled up, severely hamstringing the ascending Chargers. Despite the setbacks, the Chargers finished strong, earning a playoff berth. Unfortunately, the Chargers, for the second year in a row, lost in the Wild Card Round, ending their championship dreams. Now, with their big hitters back in the mix, can the Chargers finally break their curse?
A Brief Recap of the Herbert Era
The Chargers came into the 2020 NFL Draft with the sixth pick. Looking for their franchise quarterback, the Chargers selected Justin Herbert. Herbert was the third quarterback to go in the first six picks, with each quarterback in the top 10 having at least one elite season. The Chargers couldn’t be happier with their choice. It was evident from the beginning that the former Duck was their quarterback of the future. After an unfortunate injury to starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the Chargers turned to their rookie, thrusting him into the fire. Herbert rose to the occasion, leading the team to a 7-9 record and capturing the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Following the 2020 season, the Chargers fired head coach Anthony Lynn shortly after announcing their new head coach, Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. The Staley era for the Chargers was a failure. The collapse of the Staley era can be attributed to both injuries and the coaching staff. Over three years, the team made the playoffs only once in 2022, losing a humiliating Wild Card Round game. 2023 only proved to be worse after a 5-9 start to the season. Tensions came to a head after their 63-21 loss to their divisional rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football. Staley was fired the next day, along with general manager Tom Telesco.
Searching for their long-term head coach, the Chargers immediately got to work following the 2023 season. After an extensive search, the Chargers found their guy. They came to terms with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is a storied coach, coming fresh off a national championship and a Super Bowl appearance with the 49ers in 2012. Fans were excited to land such a storied and successful coach. Harbaugh had an immediate impact on the team. Bringing in his staff, he molded the team to his philosophy. The Chargers had a successful first season under their new head coach, finishing 11-6 and earning a playoff berth. Continuing the trend, the Chargers were bounced out of the Wild Card Round once again.
The Season That Was Supposed to Be
2025 was going to be the year for the Chargers. The team had an amazing draft in 2024, selecting rookies who had an immediate impact. With the fifth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers took Joe Alt. Alt was seen as the best offensive lineman in the draft, and he fit Harbaugh’s philosophy of building through the trenches. Holding the 34th pick, they turned in the card for wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey was a huge get for the team, becoming the team’s leading receiver as a rookie. Everything was looking up before tragedy struck in training camp. All-Pro tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon, immediately sidelining him for the season.
Despite losing one of their starting tackles, the Chargers came out strong, blazing to a 3-0 start. Unfortunately, this is the Chargers, and no good thing can happen without an event to even it out. In Week Three, starting running back Najee Harris tore his Achilles tendon, ending his season. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Alt suffered a high ankle sprain in Week Four. Alt would miss three games before returning to action in Week Eight. When the season was looking to get back on track, Alt once again hurt his ankle in Week Nine, being carted off the field. As if it could only get worse, the Chargers announced shortly after that Alt would undergo season-ending ankle surgery. To somehow make matters even worse, the first-round pick and starting running back, Omarion Hampton, suffered an ankle injury in Week Five. He missed two games before being put on injured reserve. In Week Two, veteran pass rusher and the leader of the defense, Khalil Mack, suffered a hand injury, sidelining him for the game. Shortly after, the Chargers announced that they were placing Mack on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. In Week 13, Herbert broke his left hand. He quickly underwent surgery and returned to action the next week.
Without their starting tackles, Herbert spent the season under pressure. He led the league in quarterback pressures with 268 and led the league with a 43.3% pressure rate. Teams were eager to abuse the Chargers' weak offensive line, but the Chargers still made magic happen. Once again, the injured Chargers finished 11-6 and qualified for the playoffs. Their magic ran out in the Wild Card Round, where the eventual AFC Champions, the Patriots, soundly defeated them. All in all, the season was a success. The Chargers had lofty expectations, making their short playoff run a failure. For the third time in Herbert’s career, he failed to make it past the first round.
The Season That Could Be
Here we are again with high expectations for the Chargers. After firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman, a high-profile coach chose to come to LA. Former Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel decided to take a season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator. A massive addition to an already well-coached team. Harbaugh and Herbert should be franchise staples for at least the near future. I’m sure for the upper brass, it’s a Super Bowl or bust season, but ultimately, butts are in seats. Super Bowl windows are very finicky and can end in a single season. As the draft approaches, the Chargers find themselves holding the valuable 22nd pick. The majority of their team is in a great place, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get better. Adding blue-chip players is always a good thing, and the later in the season it gets, the more important depth becomes. All the pieces are falling back into place. The talent is there, the coaching is there, but will the team’s health hold up in what could be their most important season?
