The Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals will open their 2026 seasons Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium in a matchup that features two teams heading in very different directions.
The Chargers are coming off consecutive 11-win seasons and enter 2026 with legitimate playoff expectations. Arizona, meanwhile, finished just 3-14 last season and begins a new era under head coach Mike LaFleur. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Justin Herbert Gets a New Offense
Justin Herbert enters the season with a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel arrives in Los Angeles after previously running Miami’s offense and will look to bring a more explosive, creative attack to a Chargers team that has already won 11 games in each of the last two seasons. Herbert is expected to be the centerpiece of that system.
The Chargers also have plenty of weapons around their quarterback, including Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and second-year running back Omarion Hampton.
One of the biggest storylines will be the return of left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is expected to play for the first time since January 2025. His return could be huge for an offensive line that will immediately face Arizona’s pass rush.
Cardinals Begin a Massive Rebuild
Arizona enters the season with far fewer expectations.
The Cardinals went 3-14 last season and finished with one of the worst records in the NFL. Kyler Murray is no longer on the roster, leaving veteran Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starting quarterback.
Brissett has experience in the NFL, but he faces a difficult opening assignment against a Chargers defense that has been one of the league’s better units in recent seasons.
Arizona will need Marvin Harrison Jr. to take a major step forward. The former first-round pick remains one of the team’s biggest offensive weapons and could be heavily involved Sunday.
Jeremiyah Love Could Be a Difference Maker
The Cardinals also have plenty of excitement surrounding rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.
The No. 3 overall pick suffered a high ankle sprain during the preseason but Arizona remains optimistic that he can play in the opener. Love showed his potential before the injury, recording 58 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards against Las Vegas.
If Love is healthy enough to contribute, his explosiveness could give Arizona’s offense another dimension.
Key Matchup
The biggest matchup could be Arizona’s offensive line against the Chargers’ pass rush.
Los Angeles has Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu leading a dangerous group that will look to pressure Brissett. If the Chargers can consistently get into the backfield, it could be a long afternoon for Arizona.
On the other side, Arizona must find a way to slow down Herbert and McDaniel’s new offense.
The Cardinals have talent, but Los Angeles enters this game with significantly higher expectations and the advantage of playing at home.
Herbert should have plenty of opportunities to make big plays in McDaniel’s offense, while the Chargers’ defense should eventually wear down Arizona.
Expect Los Angeles to begin the new offensive era with a convincing Week 1 victory.
