Chargers come in at No. 14 in post-cutdown NFL power rankings
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on August 20, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesSunday brought with it the initial iterations of all 32 NFL teams. History tells us none of them are set in stone, even for a single day, before changes start occurring all across the league.
But in that very moment following the cutdown, ESPN took to updated their power rankings based on the massive day of transactions. The Chargers somehow did not see any movement from their post-draft power rankings as they stayed put at No. 14. In this iteration, that landed them right behind the Chiefs at No. 13 and ahead of the Cowboys at No. 15.
Along with the rankings, each team's beat writer also added in a milestone to watch for" this season in regards one of the players. Kris Rhim highlighted that, at some point this season, quarterback Justin Herbert could become just the fourth passer in league history to throw for over 28,000 during their first seven seasons. The other three being Peyton Manning (29,442), Patrick Mahomes (28,424), and Matt Ryan (28,166).
Herbert has thrown fewer than the 3,180 yards he needs to reach 28K just once in his career," said Rhim. That year was 2023, when he sustained aseason-ending injuryto his right index finger but still threw for 3,134 yards in 13 games. Withnew offensive coordinatorMike McDaniel, barring any injury, Herbert should have one of the most productive seasons of his career and reach this mark late in the season."
After a couple seasons where it simply felt like Herbert was being hamstrung by an offense that wanted to run, run, run, it may be time for him to get back to the type of play that we were awestruck by from 2020-2022 where he totaled over 14,000 passing yards and 102 total touchdowns.
Now THAT'S what we've all been missing. So why couldn't happen under McDaniel in 2026?
Wish I remember which podcast I heard it on, but apparently Mike McDaniel told Jim Harbaugh that there are concepts in his passing game that he's never been able to use because you need a "freak" at QB.
- Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 28, 2026
And when Justin Herbert demonstrated said freakiness at practice, McDaniel... https://t.co/edOGIpOIM9