The one thing Los Angeles Chargers fans aren't paying attention to (but should be)
It’s mid-week here in Los Angeles, and the mood around the Los Angeles Chargers, respectfully, feels a little… relaxed. We're sitting at 11-6, a playoff team, but there's this underlying current of "what now?" The signing of Cole Strange to shore up the offensive line is a good, practical move, a necessary move for a team that saw Justin Herbert get knocked around like a pinball too many times. But it’s not the kind of splash that gets folks at Harold & Belle's talking for hours. The narrative right now is that the Los Angeles Chargers are *good*, but not necessarily *great*. We're in the dance, but nobody's clearing space for a parade down Figueroa Street yet. The fans, the ones who packed SoFi Stadium all season, they're looking for that next gear, that extra something that makes you feel like a Super Bowl is truly in reach.
Here’s the thing Los Angeles Chargers fans aren't paying enough attention to: the looming shadow of the 2026 NFL Draft. Yeah, 2026 feels like a lifetime away, but with all the chatter about trading up or down, and these early rankings dropping, the front office is already thinking two, three steps ahead. The Los Angeles Chargers finished 11-6, a solid record, which means they're likely going to be picking later in the first round.
* **Impact of current roster:** Our current strength dictates our future draft position. * **Targeting specific needs:** High-end talent might not be available without aggressive moves. * **Draft capital value:** Future picks become currency for immediate improvements.
This isn't just about drafting a future star; it's about leveraging future assets to address immediate needs. Do you trade future picks to get that game-wrecker *now*? Do you hold steady and try to find a gem later? The decisions being made around those hypothetical draft boards today will shape the Los Angeles Chargers' trajectory for years, long after this current season wraps up. That's the chess game happening behind the scenes.
The Bolts aren't waiting for permission to belong here. Devon Nakamura-Ellis, Los Angeles.
The crew on the morning show dives deep into this kind of long-game thinking — you should check it out live at mornings.live.