Chargers’ 0–2 start exposes offensive line and execution problems
A CBS Sports analysis points to penalties, fumbles and weak blocking, while questioning whether Los Angeles can address deeper roster gaps during the season.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offence has opened the 2026 NFL season with two losses, to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. A CBS Sports analysis published on 25 September says the unit’s early performance reflects both execution errors and weaknesses that may be difficult to resolve mid-season.
The analysis reports that the Chargers have one of the league’s highest penalty rates per offensive snap and are tied for the most fumbles through two games. It also highlights missed blocks and disrupted plays, arguing that mistakes have undermined the scheme’s timing and potential.
Offensive line play is a central concern. CBS Sports cites the injury to centre Tyler Biadasz and says instability across the interior has contributed to poor run blocking. The Chargers have averaged 0.51 yards before contact per carry through two games, the analysis reports, ranking 29th in the NFL.
The passing game has also struggled to reach the intermediate middle of the field. The analysis says 42.9 per cent of Justin Herbert’s passes have targeted that area over the first two games, and argues that the receiving group is not well suited to exploit it consistently.
CBS Sports also points to dropped passes and opportunities Herbert missed by choosing shorter options or pulling the ball down. The article presents these as shared problems involving the quarterback, receivers and offensive design, rather than attributing the slow start to one factor.
The analysis argues that execution could improve, but questions whether the offensive line and receiver group can be strengthened during the season. Those assessments are the publication’s view; the supplied material contains no independent verification.
