By Tim Peterson
The Chargers completed the signings of their 2026 class of rookies by finalizing the deal with Brenen Thompson this week.
Thompson, a receiver, is considered one of the speediest players in the entire 2026 draft. He ran a 4.26 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is high on Thompson and was pushing for the team to draft him and they ultimately got him in the fourth round which is about where he was projected to go.
Thompson led the entire SEC in receiving yards in 2025, posting 1,054 and six touchdowns on 57 receptions at Mississippi State.
Thompson will start the season behind Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith on the depth chart. But if Thompson is all that they expect him to be and turns into a viable offensive weapon, his designated salary as a fourth-round pick will be big plus for LA’s roster construction.
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The Chargers have three preseason games on their schedule. They will travel to Houston to play the Texans on Thursday August 13 at 5:00 PM and will be at SoFi Stadium on Thursday August 20 against the San Francisco 49ers and on Thursday August 27 to face the Rams. Both home games are at 7:00 PM. They will open the regular season at home Sunday September 13 versus the Arizona Cardinals at 1:25 PM.
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New Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary said safety Derwin James’ role could change this season. He indicated that he could use James even closer to the line of scrimmage than he’s played in recent seasons. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Chargers were the 29th ranked team in blitz rate last season under Jesse Minter. While Minter’s defense was dominant, O’Leary wants to change that rate by lining up James closer to the ball in certain situations. O’Leary pointed out that blitzing and “owning the perimeter” as the skills James is the “best in the world” at.
Although the changes to when and where James lines up will not be significant, O’Leary said that James can be even more effective than what he has been in recent seasons with different alignments.
James is entering the final year of his contract but the Chargers recently inked him to a three-year, $75.6 million extension to make him the highest-paid safety in the league for the second time. James, no matter where he’s lining up, is the anchor of the Chargers defense and figures to be for the next few years.
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The Chargers finished up mandatory minicamp in El Segundo June 16-18. Training camp dates have yet to be released.
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