March 14, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Omarion Hampton continues to trend upward ahead of the 2026 season. Hampton is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and should now benefit from playing in a system led by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Under McDaniel's leadership last year, the Dolphins had the fourth-most rushing yards per carry, so we would expect Los Angeles to adopt a run-heavy system with similar success in 2026. Hampton had 380 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns through his first four games, but a midseason injury interrupted his progress and led to subpar results at the end of the year. Now that he's heading into his second season and is healthy, Hampton should take that next step forward and produce as a potential top-12 fantasy running back. He'll also benefit from having more protection in front of him, as the Chargers' league-worst offensive line added projected starters Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange this offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed quarterback
Trey Lance to a one-year deal worth up to $6.75 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Lance continues to operate in a depth role, as he has made just 16 appearances (six starts) since being drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He backed up
Justin Herbert in Los Angeles last year, making four appearances and one start. He finished the year 0-1 with a 47.4% completion rate, 226 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 85 yards on the ground. Lance isn't a very flashy name, and the $6.75 million maximum value of his deal likely has a much lower base rate with plenty of playing time-based incentives. He's avoidable in all fantasy leagues as long as Herbert remains healthy, and even if the starter misses time, Lance wouldn't be a very appealing streamer.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden emerged as an exciting young pass-catcher as a rookie in 2025, recording 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets across 15 games. The 22-year-old established himself as the Chargers' primary receiving tight end by the middle of the season, pushing out veteran tight end
Tyler Conklin. Conklin departed Los Angeles for the Detroit Lions in free agency, further clearing the way for Gadsden to dominate tight end snaps in 2026. Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end
Charlie Kolar for some depth at the position, but Kolar profiles as a blocking specialist with just 30 total receptions across 47 career NFL games. Based on what he showed as a rookie, Gadsden could easily grow into a high-volume role in the Los Angeles offense. His stock in dynasty formats should be rising heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 12, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent running back
Keaton Mitchell to a two-year, $9.5 million deal that includes $5 million guaranteed, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Mitchell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, compiling 951 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 140 touches. Injuries limited the 24-year-old to just 26 games played over three years, and he's also been stuck behind workhorse back
Derrick Henry in Baltimore. However, Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In Los Angeles, Mitchell will likely be fighting with
Kimani Vidal for the RB2 role behind 2025 first-round pick
Omarion Hampton. Mitchell's speed and big-play ability will likely appeal to new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. While Hampton still projects as the team's clear lead rusher, Mitchell's arrival could create a slight logjam for backfield touches in Los Angeles.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 9, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free-agent tight end
Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. While Pelissero notes that this is the largest deal ever for a blocking tight end, we wouldn't be surprised to see Kolar step into more of a receiving role in Los Angeles. He showed flashes of pass-catching potential in Baltimore -- as much as he could while buried in the No. 3 tight end role behind
Mark Andrews and
Isaiah Likely. He had a career-high 10 catches for 142 yards in 2025, headlined by a two-game touchdown streak during the first half of the season. With the Bolts, he'll presumably operate as the No. 2 tight end behind
Oronde Gadsden. Despite the new contract and bump up the depth chart, Kolar likely still faces an uphill battle to fantasy relevance in a Mike McDaniel system that hasn't leaned super heavily on its No. 2 tight end in the past.
--Andersen PickardSource: Tom Pelissero
March 8, 2026
All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack has agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Chargers, taking one of the top potential free agents off the market, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. A Pro Bowler in his first three years with the team, Mack now enters his fifth season with the Bolts, his longest stay with one team as he enters year 13 of his brilliant career. While his pass-rush numbers have fallen precipitously since his career-high 17-sack campaign in 2023, the former fifth overall pick is still one of the league's most dominant edge-setters. Mack's 113 career sacks put him just outside the top 25 in NFL history, and he is likely to wear a gold jacket whenever he decides to walk away from the game.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jeremy Fowler
March 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Friday that they placed an exclusive-rights tender on free-agent running back
Kimani Vidal to keep him around for the 2026 season. The Chargers also signed running back
Jaret Patterson and safety Kendall Williamson to contract extensions. The 24-year-old Vidal was thrust into a bigger role than anticipated last year when both
Najee Harris (Achilles) and rookie
Omarion Hampton (ankle) went down with injuries. The former sixth-rounder in 2024 out of Troy had 155 carries for 643 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 13 regular-season games, adding 16 catches for 136 yards and another score. Vidal proved to be a reliable plug-and-play RB3/flex option for fantasy managers, although with Hampton returning as the Bolts' clear lead back, it will be difficult for Vidal to improve on his numbers in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
March 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with free-agent center Tyler Biadasz on a three-year deal worth $30 million on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Biadasz was cut by the Washington Commanders after being set to make $8.3 million in 2026. The 28-year-old is expected to be past the ankle and knee injuries that landed him on Injured Reserve to close out last season in Washington. The Chargers were desperate for some offensive-line upgrades, particularly at center, so they have made Biadasz the sixth-highest-paid center in the NFL. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 out of Wisconsin, Biadasz has started 84 of the 92 games he's appeared in while making the Pro Bowl in 2022 with Dallas. The addition of Biadasz is a big positive for quarterback
Justin Herbert.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 5, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on Seattle Sports on Thursday that Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent outside linebacker Khalil Mack could be a "great fit" with the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. The nine-time Pro Bowler is an elite run defender and has ranked among the top 10 edge rushers at Pro Football Focus in each of the last three seasons. Mack has a total of 113 sacks and 36 forced fumbles in his 12-year career with the Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Chargers, including a career-high 17 sacks in 2023. The 35-year-old veteran and former fifth overall pick by the Raiders in 2014 out of Buffalo only played in 12 games last year due to an elbow injury and finished with 32 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, and four forced fumbles. Mack recently announced that he plans on playing in 2026, and he's ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 edge rusher and the No. 20 overall player available in free agency this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 4, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers released tight end
Will Dissly on Wednesday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The Chargers also cut offensive guard Mekhi Becton and offensive tackle Savion Washington before the start of the new league year next week. It was mostly a lost season in 2025 for Dissly, who played in only nine games due to injury and caught only 11 of his 16 targets for 97 yards and no touchdowns in his second year in L.A. The 29-year-old tight end missed three weeks with a knee injury and was phased out of the offense in the second half of the year. In his first year with the Bolts, Dissly was much more productive, setting career-highs in catches (50), targets (64), and receiving yards (481) while finding the end zone two times in 15 games played (eight starts). He should be able to latch on with another team as TE depth, but he isn't expected to be on the fantasy radar.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
March 4, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers plan to release offensive guard Mekhi Becton in the coming days, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The move to cut Becton will save the Chargers $9.7 million on the salary cap for the 2026 season. Becton looked better in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles with his move to right guard, but he struggled mightily in pass protection in 2025 with the Chargers, and will now be looking for his fourth different team in the last four years. The 26-year-old former 11th overall pick by the New York Jets has not lived up to expectations despite standing at 6-foot-7, 363 pounds. Becton will surely latch on with another team looking for help on the offensive line, but he might be set for more of a rotational role than a starting one. He has started 59 of the 61 games he's appeared in over the course of his five-year career.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 3, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh's market is expected to be "very robust" as he heads into free agency, which is why The Athletic's Daniel Popper wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers let him walk if another team is willing to pay him $25 million per year. The sense coming out of the NFL scouting combine last week is that edge rusher Khalil Mack "will be back with the Chargers in 2026," which makes it easier for the Bolts to let Oweh walk. If both Oweh and Mack sign elsewhere, L.A. will have to "make multiple additions through free agency and the draft to rebuild the room." Oweh was a major asset for the Chargers last year after they acquired him from the Baltimore Ravens, recording all 7.5 of his sacks with the team in 12 regular-season contests. If Oweh leaves L.A., the Chargers could target a linebacker replacement in the first round of April's NFL draft.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
March 2, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent linebacker Khalil Mack will play in 2026, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 35-year-old is coming off a strong season in 2025 and will be one of the top edge rushers available in free agency, but he'll be a priority for the Chargers to try to re-sign. Rapoport writes that Mack is "back exploring all options." The nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and former fifth overall pick in 2014 by the Raiders played in 12 games last year and had 32 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, and four forced fumbles for the Bolts. The aging linebacker has 11.5 sacks the last two seasons combined, but he's only two years removed from a career-high 17-sack season in 2023 in L.A. After signing a one-year, $18 million contract with the Chargers last March, he could be approached with a similar one-year pact to remain in Hollywood for a fifth straight season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 24, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers right guard Mekhi Becton is a cut candidate this offseason, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The Chargers can save close to $10 million if they move on from Becton, according to Over the Cap. "I'm not going to talk about that right now," general manager Joe Hortiz said when asked if Becton is guaranteed to be on the roster in 2026. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Bolts in March of 2025, but he battled injuries and played less than 60% of the offensive snaps in 15 regular-season contests. He did not live up to expectations in L.A. when he was on the field. Injuries have been an issue for Becton since he entered the NFL in 2020 as the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets. He was originally drafted as a left tackle, but he has moved to right guard over the last few years. Becton's size (6-foot-7, 363 pounds) is imposing for defensive linemen, so he'll attract interest on the open market if he's cut.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
February 23, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement from professional football on Monday on his Instagram account, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Bozeman will hang up his cleats after playing for three different teams (Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers) over his eight seasons. The 31-year-old was drafted in the sixth round in 2018 out of Alabama by the Ravens, and he played in Baltimore for the first four seasons of his career. He spent 2022 and 2023 with the Panthers before joining the Chargers each of the last two years. Bozeman played in at least 14 games in all eight of his NFL seasons and started 110 of the 129 games he appeared in over the course of his career. Offensive line was already a big area of need for L.A. this offseason before Bozeman's retirement. The Bolts are expected to target center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency to help bolster their O-line.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
RADIO
