Chargers' Position Groups That Got Better and Worse in Free Agency

A look at the depth chart of the Chargers shows some slight improvement, but nothing to get excited about.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:54pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric representation of a Chargers football player or game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form conveying the team's offseason changes.The Chargers' offseason moves have created a fragmented picture of their 2026 roster, requiring careful reconstruction to build a cohesive unit.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Chargers had a relatively quiet offseason, but some position groups saw improvements while others took a hit. The running back and tight end units got better with the additions of Keaton Mitchell and Charlie Kolar, but the edge rusher group lost Odafe Oweh. The offensive line remains a question mark, with the team needing to address the interior after some key departures.

Why it matters

The Chargers are looking to build on a 12-win season and make a deep playoff run. How they address their roster holes and strengths will be crucial to their success in the 2026 NFL season.

The details

The Chargers finished 12th in the league in rushing yards per game last season, led by second-year pro Kimani Vidal and rookie Omarion Hampton. The team added former Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell and versatile fullback Alec Ingold to bolster the ground game. At tight end, the Chargers signed former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar to complement Oronde Gadsden II. On the defensive side, the team lost edge rusher Odafe Oweh, who had 7.5 sacks in just 12 games after being acquired in a midseason trade. The Chargers still have talent at edge rusher with Khalil Mack, but replacing Oweh's production will be a challenge. The offensive line remains a question mark, with the team needing to address the interior after losing left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman, and right guard Mekhi Becton.

  • The Chargers finished the 2025 season with a 12-6 record.
  • The team added running back Keaton Mitchell and fullback Alec Ingold in free agency.
  • Tight end Charlie Kolar signed a three-year deal with the Chargers.
  • Edge rusher Odafe Oweh was traded to the Washington Commanders.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is three and a half weeks away.

The players

Kimani Vidal

A second-year running back who led the Chargers with 155 carries and 643 rushing yards in 2025.

Omarion Hampton

A rookie running back who added 545 yards and four touchdowns on 124 attempts in 2025.

Keaton Mitchell

A running back signed from the Baltimore Ravens to add a new dimension to the Chargers' ground game.

Alec Ingold

A versatile fullback signed from the Miami Dolphins to complement the Chargers' running game.

Charlie Kolar

A tight end signed from the Baltimore Ravens, known as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league.

Oronde Gadsden II

A tight end who had 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2025.

Khalil Mack

A 12-year pro edge rusher who signed a one-year, $18 million deal to remain with the Chargers.

Odafe Oweh

An edge rusher acquired in a midseason trade from the Ravens, who had 7.5 sacks in 12 games for the Chargers.

Trevor Penning

A versatile offensive lineman re-signed by the Chargers, who can play inside or outside.

Tyler Biadasz

A center signed from the Washington Commanders to address the Chargers' offensive line needs.

Cole Strange

A guard signed from the Miami Dolphins to help improve the Chargers' interior offensive line.

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What’s next

The Chargers will look to address their remaining needs, particularly on the offensive line, in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Chargers made some modest improvements in free agency, but they still have work to do to solidify their roster and build on their 12-win season. The running game and tight end positions got stronger, but the edge rusher group took a hit, and the offensive line remains a question mark. The team will need to find solutions in the draft to ensure they can compete at the highest level in 2026.