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The Los Angeles Chargers, first and foremost, wanted to replenish their offensive arsenal this offseason.
They did so successfully with virtually every unit on that side of the ball. To help integrate Mike McDaniel's outside zone-centered scheme, they brought in Alec Ingold, Cole Strange, Tyler Biadasz, Charlie Kolar, David Njoku, and Keaton MItchell. They're now left with one of the deepest backfields, the most promising young receiving corps, and most well-constructed tight end rooms in the NFL.
There's no reason not to be excited about what this unit can be in 2026.
But ever since Njoku was added to the existing duo of Kolar and Oronde Gadsden II late in free agency, there's been one question lingering in Chargers fans' minds. How will snaps be distributed among these three complementary tight ends?
Ben Solak, in his recent piece for ESPN outlining one storyline for each team entering training camp, posed essentially that question. Who will take on every-down duties for Los Angeles at tight end, and will that be determined in training camp?
"A three-headed monster at tight end sounds just fine ... until defenses exploit playcalling tendencies revealed by which tight end(s) is on the field. The Chargers will use all three players, but they would love for one to clearly emerge as a three-down player over the course of August." Ben Solak, ESPN
The Chargers need to sort out the hierarchy of their tight end room at some point in 2026
Optionality is a weapon— especially in a McDaniel offense.
Gadsden emerged during his rookie campaign as a dynamic pass catcher and explosive-play threat, posting 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns. Although his production waned as the offense as a whole fell apart later in the season, he proved himself as a more-than-capable lead tight end. His only deficit is his blocking— leading us to the signings of Kolar and Njoku.
Kolar isn't without pass-catching upside. But he was primarily used as a blocking tight end during his time with the Baltimore Ravens, and that figures to be his primary role in Los Angeles. Although he saw 40% of the Ravens' offensive snaps last season, he got just 15 targets across the entirety of the campaign. He'll be instrumental in helping to set the edge in the Chargers' run game.
Njoku, for his part, is a perfect middle ground between these two skill-sets. Although he took on more of a blocking role last season with the Cleveland Browns as rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. emerged, we're only three seasons removed from his monstrous, 81-reception, 882-yard campaign in 2023. His days of being an alpha pass catcher are likely over, but he has plenty to provide as a Y tight end.
Each player, as Solak outlines, has a case to be TE1 for the Chargers. If Gadsden can improve in his blocking abilities, he could quickly become the type of every-down tight end the Chargers have long been searching for. But if they want to lean into their blocking abilities and heavy personnel, Kolar is the clear-cut choice.
It's difficult to overstate how important all three of these tight ends will be to Los Angeles this season. But part of McDaniel's task over the course of August will be to implement a clear structure for the offense— and having one of these players emerge as the starter will be a major boon in that endeavor.
Today's best reads
- Former Jim Harbaugh weapon pulls at Chargers’ heartstrings with new draft confession
- Chargers' brutal 2026 slate could force fans to acknowledge a painful reality
- Grading Charlie Kolar and the Chargers 2026 TE/FB room
- Ranking the Chargers' 5 best moves from a monumental offseason
- Chargers may need to test their patience with offensive line improvements in 2026
This article was originally published on boltbeat.com as Chargers' offseason moves have created a lingering conundrum for Mike McDaniel.
