The Los Angeles Chargers have been knocked out of the playoffs in the AFC wildcard for a consecutive postseason, losing to the second-seeded New England Patriots, 3-16.
While the defense was able to do its part, holding the Pats to just 16 points, sacking Drake Maye five times, recording an interception and forcing two fumbles (one of which was recovered by LA), it was the offense that didn’t click.
New England’s defense had the Bolts’offense in its pockets the whole game, in which Charger players mentioned “they had no clue” what the Pats defense was running the entire game, according to Pats linebacker Robert Spillane.
Justin Herbert‘s day was made a living hell, getting sacked six times in the wildcard game, fumbling twice (only losing the ball one time), and throwing for 159 yards on 31 attempts.
Ladd McConkey was the leading receiver for the Chargers in the loss to New England, recording three receptions for 32 yards. The lack of protection from the offensive line made it difficult for Herbert to scan the field and throw the ball to his receivers, resulting in a nearly nonexistent passing threat.
Now, with the offseason being the next priority for the organization, they have to decide on the future of key pieces, including the receiving room.
Pursing $96 Million Weapon
GettyChargers will have to decide the future of a fan favorite
The Los Angeles Chargers have a good passing game, but no viable number one option on the squad.
In the 2025-26 regular season, the Bolts had 4 receiving targets that recorded more than 650 receiving yards and accounted for 21 receiving touchdowns, but none of them passed the 800-yard threshold.
Needing a true, proven wide receiver one, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes the Chargers should target a player whose team was knocked out of the playoffs in the wildcard round.
The NFL writer believes that LA should pursue Philadelphia Eagles receiver AJ Brown.
“The Los Angeles Chargers spent much of the 2025 season (and 2024, for that matter) as the contender far too few talked about as a real contender. And while the Chargers won’t be traveling up the California coast to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, the Bolts are well-positioned to remain a force in the AFC West for some time,” Gavenport wrote. “This is a team with an NFL-high $103.6 million in cap space and a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. A talented defense… If the Bolts can fix the offensive line… this is a team well-positioned to be aggressive, adding talent in 2026 to an already formidable roster.”
“It’s also a team that could have a significant need at wide receiver… Brown’s a sizable, proven upgrade at a position of need. And who knows? It’s not that hard to imagine him clicking with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.”
Keenan Allen, who had the second-most receiving yards and third-most receiving touchdowns on the Chargers, was on a one-year deal and will hit the free agent market. There are currently no rumors of the Bolts planning to retain the player, who will be 34 years old next season.
Quentin Johnston continues to improve on a year-by-year basis, but will need someone who can contribute on the field immediately.
Brown has been a top player at his position since entering the league in the 2019 season. He has recorded 6 one-thousand-yard seasons out of his 7 career seasons, totaling 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns through his career.
AJ Brown Has Voiced His Dissatisfaction
GettyAJ Brown has commented on his concerns in his role in Philly
Should the Chargers attempt to acquire AJ Brown, which would require a haul for the player, it would ease the wide receivers’ mindset for a pass-oriented offense.
Brown has made it known that he would like the ball to be thrown his way more often and explained his frustration with the offense in Philadelphia.
Pairing the former Ole Miss Rebel with Justin Herbert would give the Bolts one of the best wide receiver-quarterback pairings in the league.
Herbert would get the WR who could elevate his game to the next level and AJ Brown gets to have the pass-focused offense he has been asking for.
For LA to acquire Brown, they would likely need to give up at least a first-round pick, something the Bolts do have for the 2026 draft.
Chargers Urged To Pursue $96 Million Super Bowl Winner