The Chargers are back from Indianapolis with eyes on the week ahead.

The team returned from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine after a full week of meetings and workouts — and atop the agenda is the rapidly approaching free agency period.

As Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz explained last week on the *Chargers Weekly* podcast, the Bolts front office got right to work upon their return.

"We'll really crank when we get back on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday," Hortiz said last week. "Come up with a game plan in terms of who we want to retain, who we want to go after."

The free agency legal tampering period begins in less than a week on March 9 at 9 a.m. (PT), before the New League Year begins March 11 at 1 p.m. (PT).

That means this week will go a long way in attacking free agency, as Hortiz and the staff are slated to meet and establish the plan for the weeks ahead.

"I feel really good going into free agency and the draft coming up," Hortiz said. "I love where we are in terms of the players certainly and what we have the opportunity to add.

"Really excited about the new coaching additions and what we've done," Hortiz added. "Had a chance to have some meetings with them and start talking ball. It's been a lot of fun."

As of Tuesday morning, the Bolts are projected to have $85.4 million in cap space when the New League Year begins, according to Over the Cap.

The team also heads into free agency with 26 players from last season slated to be free agents. Some of those names include players like Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, Zion Johnson and Keenan Allen to name a few.

Of course, the Bolts have shown the willingness to get deals done before free agency even opens like the extension with Teair Tart in late January.

Hortiz explained that there is no set timeframe for potentially getting things done with internal free agents before the period, as it is a case-by-case basis, but it would be something that they would communicate with the player.

"There's no set timeline," Hortiz said. "It's one of those things where, 'Hey, we want you back, I want to be back, let's see if we can come to an agreement now or do you want to see what the market is?' Different players approach it differently.

"Other guys are a little bit more patient and I tell them all, 'Listen, we want you back, if you want to see what your value is, I understand. You're not hurting my feelings, that's your right as a free agent, you've earned that opportunity,' Hortiz later continued.

"I never take offense to it. We want them, but we also understand that they've been given an opportunity to find out what their worth is and go find out," Hortiz added. "If we can make it work, let's get you back."

A big focus heading into next week is certainly the offensive line.

Center Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement last week and Johnson is slated to be a free agent. That duo were two of last year's starters along the interior of the line.

Plus, a number of depth pieces that started or played last year such as Jamaree Salyer, Trey Pipkins III, Austin Deculus, Bobby Hart and Andre James are also set to hit free agency.

Hortiz envisions adding to the offensive line in all facets with the number of players slated to hit the market.

"Obviously, we need to add to the offensive line," Hortiz said. "We're frankly thin in terms of numbers there right now. That is the plan, that is the goal, comfortable with what's out there in the draft and free agency."

Hortiz later added: "We're going to focus, it won't be the only focus, but certainly not going to ignore the offensive line… We're going to keep adding to it and see what we can come up with."

That includes both free agency and the draft, where Hortiz likes some of the early indications of this class.

"I think there's an opportunity to attack it in both areas," Hortiz said. "The draft has a lot of players on the interior you feel good about then there's some tackles in college that we feel like can kick inside.

"I feel like there's good depth in the draft," Hortiz added. "Certainly the free agent market we're going to explore and see what we can do."

With a number of new coaches on staff, including two new coordinators, this week is crucial for what lies ahead.

But Hortiz has no doubt there will be a lot of important dialogue as they set out to build the 2026 Chargers roster.

"We have some internal discussions from a personnel standpoint, obviously bringing on new coaches and letting them get familiar with our players, watching the film," Hortiz said. "It's a little delayed, we probably would've been, we've had some conversations but we would have had a few more."

He later added: "You want to leave yourself some room for that flexibility midseason, but you also want to help sure up the team and add to it. We'll blend it together and see if we can make some good additions."