The Chargers kick off OTAs on Tuesday, which signals the transition to Phase 3 of the offseason. Hosted at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA, these 10 voluntary practices allow players and coaches to run 11-on-11 drills, install new playbooks, and build team chemistry ahead of training camp.
Here are five storylines to monitor over the next few weeks:
Health of the tackle tandem
All eyes are on how Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater, who missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury, and Joe Alt, who was limited to six games in 2025 with an ankle injury, look during on-field drills. While OTAs do not permit live contact, their movement skills and physical progression in non-padded drills are crucial.
Left guard competition
The Chargers completely overhauled their interior offensive line this offseason. The starting center and right guard spots appear to be secured by Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange, respectively. The left guard position, however, is unsettled. Trevor Penning, who was re-signed, and second-round pick Jake Slaughter are set to battle it out. Slaughter, a natural center out of Florida, is being asked to transition to guard.
Early imprint of Mike McDaniel’s scheme
With Mike McDaniel taking over as offensive coordinator, the Chargers are reinventing their offensive philosophy. The new playbook is expected to feature heavy use of 12- and 13-personnel (multiple tight-end sets), pre-snap motion, and play-action passes. All eyes will be on how quarterback Justin Herbert adjusts to his fifth NFL offensive system, as well as how weapons like Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, Oronde Gadsden II, and the newcomers Keaton Mitchell, Charlie Kolar, and David Njoku fit into it.
Defensive adjustments
On the other side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary is now calling the shots. The primary focus for O’Leary is how he will maintain the schematic foundation left by his mentor Jesse Minter while evolving the system to maximize new personnel.
Rookie impact
First-round edge rusher Akheem Mesidor is stepping into a crucial role alongside veterans Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Mesidor is expected to contribute right away, so it’s worth monitoring to see how quickly he adapts to NFL-level competition and how O’Leary utilizes his inside-out versatility.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers OTAs: 5 storylines to watch
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
