The initial free agency frenzy is in the rearview mirror as NFL pundits have taken stock of where each team sits in mid-March.
The Chargers made a splash early in offseason with the hire of Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel and then added external players in free agency who fit the mold for his scheme.
That included center Tyler Biadasz, tight end Charlie Kolar, running back Keaton Mitchell, fullback Alec Ingold and guard Cole Strange, as the Bolts also retained offensive linemen Trey Pipkins III and Trevor Penning from last season.
Defensively, the Chargers kept outside linebacker Khalil Mack and defensive tackle Teair Tart from the 2025 defense and also ensured that key pieces such as linebackers Denzel Perryman and Del'Shawn Phillips are also back in powder blue.
Externally, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson brings a veteran presence up front as he should help out in the trenches.
So, how do pundits view the Bolts after these handful of moves?
Eric Edholm of NFL.com recently released his post-free agency NFL power rankings and slotted the Chargers at No. 11 overall.
Edholm wrote:
They got their center in Tyler Biadasz, with Cole Strange the presumed right guard. That means they still need a left guard, and it could come down to the draft. Simply adding Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injured reserve is a huge lift; making the playoffs without both bookends was a stunning achievement, honestly ... The Bolts had the cap space to do more, but GM Joe Hortiz all but told us they'd be measured. Maybe we should have listened.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News also put Jim Harbaugh's squad at No. 11 in his power rankings.
The Chargers had a lot of spending power in free agency but didn't feel like they needed to change much with Khalil Mack returning for the pass rush and Tyler Biadasz replacing Bradley Bozeman at center. Their biggest impact addition remains Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator.
FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano, meanwhile, had the Chargers at No. 12 in his rankings while The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue noted that McDaniel's impact on the offense should be widespread in 2026.
Rodrigue wrote:
Meanwhile, unsexy moves like signing a fullback (Alec Ingold, who reunites with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel) and a blocking tight end (Charlie Kolar) are subject to the eye of the beholder. To new offensive coordinator McDaniel, these will be players to move around the alignment and activate his run and blocking surfaces, disguise personnel looks and — quarterback Justin Herbert hopes — help out the offensive line.
If we look ahead to the future, the Chargers have roughly $62 million in salary cap space and also hold the No. 22 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
