Are Chargers poised to break 17-year drought in 2026?

The Los Angeles Chargers, for me, are one of the most intriguing teams entering the 2026 season due to what the franchise has the potential to be.

With an offense that has stuttered and spluttered, and a top defense, L.A. has won 11 games in Jim Harbaugh's first two years, but has gone one-and-done in the playoffs both times.

Now, with the injury bug hopefully behind them, coupled with Mike McDaniel now calling plays for Justin Herbert, there are a lot of people who are bullish on what the Chargers can do in 2026.

But could they be poised to do something they haven't done in 17 years and win the AFC West?

CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan thinks they're a chance.

"The Los Angeles Chargers are another threat to Denver, especially if they get their offensive line, specifically tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, back healthy," Sullivan wrote.

MORE: Analyst has Chiefs as AFC West contenders with one huge if

Can Chargers really challenge?

Absolutely, they can, and last year, they won 11 games despite all of the injuries and an offense that was, in truth, a little boring.

But with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back, plus the addition of McDaniel to call plays for Herbert, it is easy to see why fans are bullish on the Chargers in 2026.

Of course, they have shown promise before and failed spectacularly, so there is an air of trepidation over what the team can do.

But the pieces are in place; now they just have to do something that they haven't done in years, and that's put it all together. 

Do that, and L.A. might have its first division title since 2009.

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