The Chargers’ defense has shown real promise throughout the summer.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary couldn’t be more pleased with where the unit stands heading into the 2026 season. One player expected to contribute to that is defensive tackle Teair Tart.
After a breakout 2025 season, Tart is looking to prove it was no fluke, and so far, he’s doing just that.
The 29-year-old has turned heads so far, and O’Leary couldn’t be more pleased with his performance, looking dominant and disruptive in camp.
“He’s been really good for us. He’s stepping into a role where he has a big influence on the defense,” Chargers Defensive Coordinator Chris O’Leary said Sunday about Tart. “He’s up front, in the trenches and he’s a violent player.
“He’s going to make plays for us but we’ve kind of pushed him along into that role of, ‘Hey man, guys look to you and guys follow you,'” O’Leary added. “He plays hard and practices hard, at times we have to pull him back a little bit in practice. But we like where he’s at.”
Tart is set to enter his third season with the Chargers. After a stellar 2025 season in Los Angeles, the Chargers rewarded the veteran defensive lineman with a three-year, $37.5 million contract shortly after their playoff loss.
The Chargers are Tart’s fourth organization he’s been part of after going undrafted in 2020.
Tart’s 2025 season was one to remember. In 17 games, he tallied 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and four passes defended.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tart posted a 74.7 run defense grade, which ranked fifth among all linemen with at least 240 snaps. Tart is expected to continue his stellar play in a crucial 2026 season ahead.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers DC Chris O’Leary high on Teair Tart’s defensive impact
Reporting by Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire | USA TODAY Network
