By admin 
When people express confidence and excitement in how prolific and explosive the Los Angeles Chargers will be on offense this season, they talk about skill players such as running back Omarion Hampton and wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. But they don’t talk much about the tight end position.
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Last year, the Chargers started out Week 1 with Will Dissly as their TE1. But he was a disappointment, and others had to step up. In particular, Oronde Gadsden II, a fifth-round draft pick in 2025, filled in ably with 49 receptions, 664 yards and three touchdowns.
Oddly enough, on the Chargers’ official depth chart for this season, Gadsden is listed third, behind two newcomers, Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Kolar has been designated as the starter.
That has obviously brought up some questions from fans and pundits about the viability of the team’s tight end room. But new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel expressed confidence in his men at that position.
McDaniel says the Chargers are “very happy” with their tight ends
Per Alex Insdorf on X (formerly Twitter), McDaniel sounds content with the Chargers’ tight end room right now.
“We’re very happy with where they’re at,” he said.
He also gave those who are taking part in fantasy football a pro tip.
“It might not be the smartest move to make your fantasy decisions after Week 1…they’re going to be involved every week.”
Kolar is more of a blocking specialist at tight end, and he could come in handy within McDaniel’s zone-blocking scheme. Last season, he got a 71.5 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, and that grade ranked 15th among all tight ends.
As a pass-catcher, he had 10 receptions on 15 targets, 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 17 games last year.
Njoku is just three years removed from making the Pro Bowl with 882 yards and six touchdowns on 81 catches as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Last year, he appeared in 12 games and registered 33 catches, 293 yards and four touchdowns.
How McDaniel and head coach Jim Harbaugh divvy up the number of snaps Kolar, Njoku and Gadsden get throughout the season, as well as during which situations each man tends to be on the field, will be an interesting development to keep an eye on.
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This story was originally published September 10, 2026 at 11:19 PM.