Los Angeles Chargers Struggle in the 2026 NFL Season
As the 2026 NFL season progresses into its third week, teams are demonstrating their potential as playoff contenders or revealing a need for significant changes. Some have surprised with their performance, while others have not met expectations.
Former Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski has expressed his opinion on the Los Angeles Chargers, identifying them as a team that falls short in their performance. In remarks made during an event in New York City for Bounty, Gronkowski commented on the state of the Chargers.
“The Los Angeles Chargers are probably the biggest mess in the NFL regarding how they’re playing and where they should be,” Gronkowski said.
Despite expectations, the Chargers, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, have begun the season 0-2 after facing teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders — teams not widely predicted to contend for playoffs in 2026.
The team’s performance thus far has been less than stellar. They have managed an average of only 14 points per game over their first two matches, placing them third from the bottom in this category in the league. Additionally, they stand at 23rd in average total offensive yards per game. Problems within the offensive line have contributed significantly to their struggles.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has struggled to find rhythm on offense. He has completed 59.3% of his passes and has thrown only two touchdowns while being intercepted three times across two games.
Gronkowski noted that no single player should be held accountable for the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the team’s collective effort.
“It’s not just one thing that’s going wrong. It’s a lot of things going wrong,” Gronkowski said.
The Chargers face a challenging schedule ahead, with upcoming games against strong teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens.
The team’s initial struggles highlight the importance of cohesive teamwork and strategic adjustments. The Chargers need to address multiple issues if they hope to meet pre-season expectations.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.