The Chargers head into 2026 as one of the most interesting teams in the NFL.
Just how intriguing are they around the league?
The Athletic’s Robert Mays slots them as high as they could be.
“They’re at, or near, the top [of the NFL],” Mays told Chargers.com
The national analyst, and host of “The Athletic Football Show,” stopped by the first week of Chargers Training Camp with his eyes on a team he believes is one of the top storylines in the league.
After back-to-back playoff berths, the Bolts would be one of the top teams to watch regardless entering Year 3 of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
But you add an offensive coordinator like Mike McDaniel in the mix with a quarterback like Justin Herbert, and the excitement grows exponentially says Mays.
“It’s been such an object of fascination for people that pay attention to the league, and for good reason,” Mays said. “What Mike has done in Miami and how unique the offense was, how exciting the offense was, how dynamic the offense was.
“Now you kind of bring the ideas and that mentality and ability to maximize your players to a place where there’s a really talented quarterback and there’s a lot of intriguing pieces,” Mays added. “I think it’s hard not to get excited about it and part, at least, not be interested in.”
McDaniel’s track record has been well-talked about throughout the offseason, bringing to Los Angeles some of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the last four seasons.
Mays didn’t sugarcoat what McDaniel had the chance to do now with the Chargers offense.
It has the potential to stand at the top of the NFL.
“I think the ceiling of the offense is at near the top of the league,” Mays said. “A Top 5 offense if things break right.”
