Deebo Samuel
Getty
Chargers could add some reinforcement to the wide receiver room
With a new offensive coordinator, the Los Angeles Chargers‘ offense appears poised to have a strong 2026 season.
Mike McDaniel is adding the pieces to his offense, especially the interior offensive line, and could have Justin Herbert playing like an MVP candidate.
There is still plenty of time to give the quarterback another weapon before the start of the 2026 season, which could reunite McDaniel with a former player of his.
Chargers Named Best Landing Spot for Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel
GettyChargers could add some more reinforcements on offense
Keenan Allen was the second-best-performing wide receiver on the Los Angeles Chargers offense in the 2025 season, recording 777 receiving yards and 4 touchdown catches.
The WR was on a one-year deal and entered free agency. There has been no contact between the teams on a new deal, leaving a gap in the Bolts’ offense.
Looking to add more weapons to Mike McDaniel’s offense, Pro Football Focus’s Mason Cameron names the Chargers as the best landing spot for former Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
“Although the Chargers maintain a solid group of young receivers, highlighted by Ladd McConkey, the group lacks playmaking ability after the catch, ranking just 26th in yards after catch per reception this past season. Not only could Samuel increase that output, but he would also provide the group with a veteran presence following Keenan Allen‘s departure,” Cameron wrote.
“New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is well acquainted with Samuel from their time together in San Francisco, where McDaniel helped orchestrate Samuel’s 2021 All-Pro campaign in which he earned a career-best 90.2 PFF overall grade.”
Samuel played his best football with McDaniel as the offensive playcaller in both the receiving and run game, which led to his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod.
The wide receiver hauled in 1,405 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, and ran for 365 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns in the 2021 season — McDaniel’s last season with the 49ers — and has not been near those numbers since his former offensive coordinator became the Miami Dolphins head coach.
Now with the ability to choose his next team, Deebo Samuel can reunite with his former playcaller and return to his first-team All-Pro status.
Chargers Not Shutting Window On Adding WR
Joe Hortiz
GettyThe Chargers front office did not shut down on the idea on adding another wide receiver
Bolts general manager Joe Hortiz was asked at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine about the possibility of adding Tyreek Hill to the roster and reuniting with former head coach Mike McDaniel in Los Angeles. Here’s what he said:
“Those are the things we’ll talk about next week… I love our receiver room as it is right now. I think we have a lot of really talented, young players that are really going to grow and flourish.”
“But we’re never opposed to adding another one. So, we’ll continue to have discussions about that and see where it heads.”
Hortiz did not shut the door to adding Hill, so it can be assumed that the door to bringing in Deebo Samuel isn’t out of the equation either.
The other notable receivers on the Chargers roster outside of Ladd McConkey are Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.