Chargers Ranked Surprisingly High in Power Rankings

Analyst sees Los Angeles team as consistent but not yet a serious contender

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:52pm

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The Los Angeles Chargers under head coach Jim Harbaugh have put together back-to-back 11-win seasons and a playoff appearance in his first two years, but fans are still waiting for the team to take the next step and become a serious Super Bowl contender.

Why it matters

The Chargers have been a consistently good team under Harbaugh, but they have yet to make the leap into the NFL's elite. Fans are eager to see the team take that next step and become a true championship contender.

The details

The Chargers' success under Harbaugh has been built on a strong foundation, but the team has struggled to get over the hump and make a deep playoff run. The addition of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help liven up the team's run game, but the Chargers will need their star offensive tackles to return healthy in order to take the next step.

  • Harbaugh is entering his third season as Chargers head coach in 2026.

The players

Jim Harbaugh

Head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, who has led the team to back-to-back 11-win seasons and a playoff appearance in his first two years.

Mike McDaniel

The new offensive coordinator for the Chargers, who is expected to help liven up the team's run game.

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The takeaway

The Chargers have established themselves as a consistent playoff contender under Harbaugh, but they still have work to do to become a true championship-caliber team. The addition of McDaniel as offensive coordinator and the return to health of their star offensive tackles will be key to the Chargers taking that next step in 2026.