Los Angeles Chargers opponents 2026: Who’s on the schedule, how easy or hard will their schedule be

As is the norm for the Los Angeles Chargers, they had some bad injury luck on the offensive line this season. And under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the offensive line is the key to everything. But, quarterback Justin Herbert played well through adversity and helped the team to 12 wins and a playoff berth.

Bad losses to the Commanders and Giants early in the season ended up killing their AFC West dreams, but a fairly easy schedule and some key big wins kept them afloat. We saw flashes from all of the offensive pieces for the Chargers, but no player really dominated offensively all season. But it was great to see rookie RB Omarion Hampton and rookie TE Oronde Gadsden both play at a high level. With Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston showing continued signs of above average play, the offense has skill players to be sure. Now if they can just keep their stud offensive tackles upright!

The Chargers will have eight home games and nine road games next season pending the announcement of the matchups for the 2026 international games. The AFC West will face the AFC East and the NFC West next season, while the Chargers get the second place finishers from the AFC South, AFC North, and NFC South.

The NFC West continues to be one of, if not the best division in the league. Seeing them on your schedule is always going to be a concern. The AFC East has improved with Drake Maye and Josh Allen leading the way, but the Jets and Dolphins should continue to be subpar next season. How good the Chiefs and Broncos are next season will help determine how tough the West will be, but as long as Patrick Mahomes comes back healthy, he’s always going to make Kansas City a force, while the Broncos should continue to be stacked up and down their roster.

Overall, this schedule looks tough from the outset. We know the Chargers can beat good teams when healthy, so I don’t think this is that worrisome, but it won’t be a cake walk.