3 key Chargers struggling early during 2026 NFL training camp

August 7, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

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Training camp is designed to expose weaknesses long before they become costly on Sundays. For the Los Angeles Chargers, expectations are soaring after an aggressive offseason. Justin Herbert has looked comfortable in Mike McDaniel’s new system. Chris O’Leary’s defense has once again set a physical tone during early camp sessions. Yet not everyone has enjoyed a smooth start. As preseason approaches, several players find themselves under increasing pressure after inconsistent performances during the opening stretch of camp. Their struggles are hardly season-defining. Still, they have become significant storylines that the Chargers cannot afford to ignore if they hope to take the next step in 2026.

Transformative offseason

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The Chargers approached the 2026 offseason knowing that subtle tweaks would no longer suffice. The front office authorized a sweeping structural overhaul. They hired McDaniel to inject explosive sequence-building into the passing attack. They also fortified the trenches with veteran additions like center Tyler Biadasz and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. In the draft, general manager Joe Hortiz added edge presence Akheem Mesidor and versatile interior blocker Jake Slaughter.

That momentum carried directly into the opening days of camp. Practice intensity has spiked dramatically as the defense established a violent tone during full-padded team drills. Herbert has looked increasingly comfortable mastering McDaniel’s footwork-heavy offensive concepts. The pass rush has reportedly consistently disrupted offensive rhythm. Still, several individual players seem to have encountered difficult transitions that must be corrected before exhibition games begin.

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OL Trey Pipkins III

Trey Pipkins III entered training camp hoping to prove that his athletic profile could successfully translate from offensive tackle to the interior. On paper, the move made sense. Pipkins possesses impressive movement skills, experience against elite pass rushers, and the versatility coaching staffs value.

Playing guard demands a completely different skill set than playing tackle. Space disappears almost instantly after the snap. Every rep becomes a violent battle inside what offensive linemen often call the “phone booth.”

Pipkins has received praise from Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. However, Pipkins has also had to go through a period of adjustment. Pipkins needs more consistency in anchoring against powerful interior defenders capable of converting speed into raw power. He needs to maximize his length more. If he makes it at left guard, lower pad level and quicker hand placement determine success.

He has some competition behind him. Branson Taylor has steadily earned additional first-team opportunities. His ability to absorb contact while maintaining a firm pocket has created legitimate competition for a position many believed Pipkins could eventually claim.

WR Quentin Johnston

Few Chargers face greater expectations entering 2026 than Quentin Johnston. This offseason represented an opportunity to reset expectations under a new offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s offense has consistently helped receivers generate production by maximizing separation before the ball is even snapped.

Johnston has shown flashes. However, he has yet fully capitalize on it. His physical gifts remain impossible to overlook. Size, acceleration, and run-after-catch ability continue to shine throughout practice. Every few sessions he reminds everyone why the Chargers invested heavily in his talent.

Consistency and adjustment, however, continue to be the keys. McDaniel has reportedly changed the way they run routes. He has emphasized how quickly they finish the top of a route and locate the football. That’ something Johnston is still adjusting to, and it has shown. It’s not a death knell by any stretch, of course. That said, it remains something to keep an eye on. If Johnston sharpens his route execution and develops greater consistency through the preseason, he has the upside to become an important component of McDaniel’s offense.

LB Junior Colson

Expectations for Junior Colson entering this training camp were clear. The Chargers hoped he would take a significant step forward and establish himself as a reliable contributor in this defense. Instead, his progress has been slower than anticipated, and injuries have done little to help his cause.

Complicating matters is the emergence of Marlowe Wax. He has arguably been one of the biggest surprises of camp. Based purely on recent performance, it’s difficult to make a compelling case for Colson over Wax. The latter impressed during last year’s preseason. He also made the most of his regular-season opportunity against the Broncos. Just as importantly, Wax has already proven his value on special teams. He logged 341 snaps in that phase last season. That’s the second-highest total on the team behind Del’Shawn Phillips’ 374.

That makes the roster equation increasingly difficult for Colson. If he isn’t earning meaningful defensive snaps and doesn’t offer the same level of special teams impact as Wax, where exactly does he fit on the 53-man roster?

The Chargers still believe in Colson’s upside. There’s a reason he was such a highly regarded college prospect. Of course, the physical tools are still there. However, potential only carries so much weight in a competitive training camp. As things stand today, Wax has simply outplayed him. Colson now needs a strong preseason to remind the coaching staff why they invested in him.

Early struggles, late-season strengths

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For Trey Pipkins III, Quentin Johnston, and Junior Colson, the opening weeks have exposed areas requiring immediate attention rather than sounding alarms about their long-term futures.

Pipkins must accelerate his transition to guard by improving leverage and anchor. Johnston needs greater precision to fully unlock Mike McDaniel’s timing-based offense. Colson must trust his instincts and play faster within this defensive structure.

If all three respond positively over the coming weeks, the Chargers will enter the regular season with significantly greater depth and far fewer question marks. If not, the coaching staff may face difficult personnel decisions much sooner than anticipated.

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