The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking a final break along with the rest of the league, as offseason programs have ended and training camps remain weeks away. While the Buccaneers' focus in the offseason was on playbook installation and getting all 91 players on the same page so that competition can begin in earnest in training camp, attention soon will turn to the specific challenges the team will face during the 2026 season. As such, with the schedule now laid out, we are taking a closer look at each opponent on the Bucs' schedule, examining what they did last season, which players and coaches have come and gone in the offseason and some as-yet-unanswered questions. Today's focus is on a Los Angeles Chargers team that has gone 11-6 in each of Jim Harbaugh's two seasons at the helm but is still looking for its first playoff win since 2018.
View the best photos from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' second day of 2026 Minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center on June 17, 2026.
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Tight End Bauer Sharp #84, Tight End Payne Durham #87 and Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Damarion Williams #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Line Coach Marcus West, Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96 and Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Jayson Jones #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 and Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Long Snapper Scott Daly #71, Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4, Safety Miles Killebrew #29 and Punter Riley Dixon #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85, Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Marshall Foerner #74 and Offensive Tackle Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 and Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Tight End Bauer Sharp #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Marshall Foerner #74 and Guard Nash Hutmacher #66 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Ja'Qurious Conley #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Ayden Garnes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97, Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote and Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yasir Holmes #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Tight End Kenny Fletcher Jr. #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 and Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5, Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Quarterbacks Coach Chandler Whitmer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Damarion Williams #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Pass Game Coordinator Coach T.J. Yates of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Tight End Payne Durham #87, Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Marcus Banks #39 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Ayden Garnes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Guard Ben Scott #66 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 and Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1, Safety Tykee Smith #23 and Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95, Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94, Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50, Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56, Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 and Defensive Lineman A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 and Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Cornerback Ayden Garnes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kadarius Calloway #49, Running Back Bucky Irving #7, Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1, Running Back Josh Williams #18 and Running Backs Coach Skip Peete of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10, Quarterback Jake Browning #5, Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Quarterbacks Coach Chandler Whitmer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94, Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95, Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56, Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50, Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96, Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92, Defensive Lineman Haggai Ndubuisi #60, Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90, Defensive Lineman Jayson Jones #93, Defensive Lineman Deshawn McKnight #73, Defensive Lineman A'Shawn Robinson #91 and Defensive Line Coach Marcus West of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17, Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11, Wide Receiver Eric Rivers Jr. #83, Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85, Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15, Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11, Wide Receiver Eric Rivers Jr. #83, Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85, Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15, Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14, Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17, Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 17, 2026 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11, Wide Receiver Eric Rivers Jr. #83, Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14, Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17, Wide Receiver Dennis Houston #89, Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8 and Wide Receiver David Sills V #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 Results
The Chargers compiled an 11-6 record in 2025, finishing second in the AFC West and earning a Wild Card playoff berth. That's exactly what Los Angeles did in 2024 in Jim Harbaugh's first season as their head coach, though the division winner changed from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Denver Broncos. Along the way, the Chargers swept the Chiefs, took down three eventual division champions (Denver, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) and compiled three winning streaks of three games or more. However, the season ended in disappointment with a Wild Card loss at New England, one year after a Wild Card loss at Houston.
The Chargers got off to a fast start, opening the season with wins against each of their AFC West opponents. Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs in the season opener, leading to a 27-21 victory. After connecting with wide receiver Quentin Johnston on two scoring passes in that contest, Herbert found him again on a 60-yard touchdown that keyed a 20-9 win in Las Vegas. Los Angeles finished the division sweep with a 10-point fourth-quarter rally at home against the Broncos ending in Cameron Dicker's 43-yard walkoff as time expired.
It wasn't all good news for the Chargers in the early going. Standout left tackle Rashawn Slater was lost for the season to a ruptured patellar tendon in training camp and running back Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in Week Three. Later, near midseason, the Chargers other outstanding tackle, Joe Alt, also sustained a season-ending injury to his ankleafter previously missing three other games to injuries.
In addition, L.A. followed that 3-0 start with a pair of losses to the Giants and Commanders, two teams that would win a combined nine games in 2025. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who would also miss eight games due to injury, posted 165 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the 21-18 losing effort to New York. With Hampton sidelined, Kimani Vidal ran for 124 yards and caught a touchdown pass in a 29-27 win in Miami in Week Six, but a 420-yard effort by Herbert the following Sunday wasn't enough to overcome the then-red-hot Colts in a 38-24 home loss.
Los Angeles followed that with a three-game winning streak that began on Thursday night in Week Eight with a 37-10 thrashing of Minnesota that included another 100-yard outing by Vidal and five sacks of Carson Wentz, two by Justin Eboigbe. The Chargers also defeated Tennessee and Pittsburgh before taking their own beating in Jacksonville by a 35-6 margin. After a Week 12 bye, the Chargers put themselves in prime playoff contention by reeling off four wins in a row.Vidal ripped off a 59-yard touchdown run and safety Tony Jefferson picked off Geno Smith in a 31-14 decision that finished off a season sweep of the Raiders. Two weeks later, the sweep of Kansas City was complete after a sluggish 16-13 win in which neither team got to 300 yards andPatrick Mahomes was lost for the season to a knee injury. The streak ended with a 34-17 drubbing of the Cowboys in Dallas in which Herbert threw for exactly 300 yards and once again found Johnston for a touchdown.
Heading into Week 17, the Chargers were 11-4, with a season-capping showdown in Denver looming an a potential tiebreaker advantage for the division title due to their Week Three win over the Broncos. The Texans played spoiler, however, coming into SoFi Stadium and capturing a 20-16 win keyed by two long touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud. Denver won that same weekend, clinching the AFC West, so the Chargers started Trey Lance at quarterback in a meaningless Week 18 matchup that the Broncos won, 19-3.
Herbert returned for the Wild Card game in Foxborough a week later but the Chargers once again only mustered only a single field goal in a 16-3 loss to the Patriots. Justin Herbert was sacked six times and Los Angeles only managed 207 yards of offense and a single third-down conversion.
Herbert threw for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns but was also picked off 13 times and finished with a career-worst 2.5 interception percentage. The Chargers' offensive line woes – the injuries to Slater and Alt and poor play from the interior linemen – led to Herbert taking 54 sacks, by far the most in any season of his career. Los Angeles ranked just 18th in passing yards and struggled mightily in the red zone, converting just 47.4% of their trips into touchdowns. Vidal and Hampton combined for 1,188 rushing yards and Herbert himself added 498 yards on the ground. Keenan Allen, back for an encore season in L.A., led the team with 81 catches as he, Johnston and Ladd McConkey all finished with between 735 and 777 yards.
The Chargers' defense was strong in 2025, finishing fifth in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed. Los Angeles picked off 19 passes, led by four each from Jefferson and cornerback Donte Jackson, and finished second in the NFL in interception percentage. The defense also produced 45 sacks, led by outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu's 13.0 plus 7.5 from midseason trade acquisition Odafe Oweh. Safety Derwin James thrived in a new role in the slot and earned second-team AP All-Pro honors after combining 94 tackles with 2.0 sacks, eight QB hits, three interceptions, seven passes defensed and one forced fumble. Dicker made the Pro Bowl after hitting on 38 of his 41 field goal tries.
2026 Arrivals
Perhaps the most significant addition of the offseason for the Chargers was not to the roster but to the coaching staff. After he was dismissed by the Dolphins after four seasons as their head coach, Mike McDaniel was a coveted offensive coordinator candidate and he chose to join forces with Harbaugh in Los Angeles. McDaniel is regarded as an extremely good architect of the ground game, which surely appealed to Harbaugh, and after designing a quick-strike passing game for Tua Tagovailoa he now gets to work with the cannon-armed Herbert.
The Chargers' offensive line issues in 2025 clearly influenced their 2026 offseason plans. Slater and Alt are expected to be ready to go by training camp but Los Angeles completely remade the interior part of their line. When the Commanders surprisingly cut center Tyler Biadasz the Chargers pounced a week before the start of free agency, giving him a three-year, $30 million deal. In mid-April, the team signed former Dolphin Cole Strange, potentially to play right guard. Then, in the draft, the Chargers used half of their eight picks on offensive linemen, beginning with Florida guard Jake Slaughter in the second round. Slaughter likely has the inside track at left guard, while the other three rookies – Memphis tackle Travis Burke (4th round), Boston College guard Logan Taylor (6th) and Oregon guard Alex Harkey (6th) fill out the depth, along with free agent pickup guard Kayode Awosika, previously of the Lions.
After dealing with multiple backfield injuries last year, the Chargers added to their running back depth by giving a two-year, $9.3 million contract to former Raven Keaton Mitchell, who may also factor into kickoff returns. Mitchell ran for 767 yards in 26 games for the Ravens, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. McDaniel got another familiar face for his offense when the team signed fullback Alec Ingold, who had been cut by the Dolphins. That signing, plus a three-year, $24million contract for former Ravens blocking tight end Charlie Kolar are further indications of the Chargers' intention to lean on the running game in 2026. L.A. added another tight end after the draft, giving a one-year deal to David Njoku after he had been cut by Cleveland in March. The only addition to the receiving corps was Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson, chosen in the fourth round of the draft after he ran the fastest 40 time of all participants at the Scouting Combine.
The Chargers did very little to their defense this offseason, though they did add to an already strong pass rush by taking Miami's Akheem Messidor in the first round of the draft with the 22nd pick overall. Messidor had 12.5 sacks last year, plays with a high motor at all times and is strong against the run, as well.
If Messidor doesn't start right away, the only new addition to the starting lineup may be defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, most recently of Arizona, who got a one-year deal from Los Angeles. Tomlinson only has 20.0 sacks in nine seasons, but he's a good run-plugger who may start at the nose. The Chargers added another candidate for that job in the fifth round of the draft, taking South Carolina's Nick Barrett. The draft also yielded depth at the safety position in the fourth round, where the Chargers landed Arizona's Genesis Smith.
2026 Departures
Obviously, the Chargers had to clear house along their interior offensive line before bringing in a whole new crew. That started in February when center Bradley Bozeman, who spent the last two of his eight NFL seasons in Los Angeles, announced his retirement. The Chargers then released guard Mekhi Becton, a key free agent signing from the previous season who didn't work out. Zion Johnson, who started at left guard for the Chargers last season and is a former first-round pick, left for Cleveland on a three-year, $49.5 million deal. Guard Jamaree Salyer, who started five games last season and 40 over four seasons with the team, signed with the Dolphins on a on-year pact. Center Andre James, who started just one game in his lone season with the Chargers but 60 prior to that for the Raiders, moved on to Tennessee.
At tight end, the Chargers cut Will Dissly with a failed physical designation and let Tyler Conklin leave for Detroit. Conklin had 231 catches over four seasons (2021-24) for the Vikings and Jets but just seven in 13 games last season for Los Angeles. The Chargers also have not re-signed running back Najee Harris or wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen has spent 12 of his 13seasons with the Chargers – he played for the Bears in 2024 – and has amassed more than 12,000 career receiving yards.
The Chargers' primary loss on the defensive side of the ball was edge rusher Odafe Oweh, who they had acquired from the Ravens along with a seventh-round pick for safety Alohi Gilman and a fifth-round pick. Oweh's strong second-half run in Los Angeles earned him a four-year, $96 million pact from the Commanders.
The Chargers had to add a few defensive tackles after seeing two of theirs leave for one-year deals elsewhere. Da'Shawn Hand signed with the Falcons after starting 13 games last year, while Otito Ogbonnia went to Dallas after starting 20 games across four seasons in L.A. The Chargers also saw depth cornerback Benjamin St-Juste seek a new opportunity in Green Bay on a two-year, $10 million deal.
Pressing Questions
How will Mike McDaniel transform the Chargers' offense?
In McDaniels' final season in Miami, the Dolphins ran the ball at the second-highest rate of any team in the NFL. That marries well with Harbaugh's philosophies, as the Chargers ran it the fifth-most times despite having a star quarterback and an underperforming offensive line. The addition of Ingold will allow McDaniels to run more "21" personnel, with two backs on the field, and the addition of Kolar almost surely will spell a heavy dosage of "12" personnel, with two tight ends. The offensive linemen that the Chargers targeted in the draft and free agency are athletic movers, which will work in McDaniel's wide zone schemes. McDaniel is expected to emphasize quickness and spacing in the passing game, and the rookie Thompson should help with that. The evolution of the Los Angeles offense should be one of the top storylines in the NFL in 2026.
Will the Chargers field one of the NFL's best pass-rush groups?
Los Angeles re-signed Khalil Mack in March and he's certainly the biggest name on the team's defensive front, with 113.0 career sacks and nine Pro Bowl invitations in 12 seasons. He had 5.5 sacks in 12 games last year and 17.0 sacks as recently as 2023. However, he will have plenty ofcompetition to be the Chargers' most dangerous pass-rusher. Last year, that title belonged to the severely underrated Tuipulotu, who led the team with his 13 sacks, as well as in quarterback hits (23) and tackles for loss (20). According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Tuipulotu also led the Chargers with 60 quarterback pressures and he generated an excellent 15.6% pressure rate. Los Angeles also has Bud Dupree, who has 61.0 career sacks and now can add to that rotation with Messidor, either the third or fourth edge rusher drafted this year, depending upon how one characterizes new Giant Arvell Reese. Messidor has the skills to be a three-down player and the Chargers may even be able to find ways to have him on the field with both Tuipulotu and Mack in clear passing downs. Los Angeles ranked sixth in the NFL in sack percentage on defense in 2025 and may have the horses to get into the top five in 2026.
