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Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz

Most of the Los Angeles Chargers‘ roster for the 2026 season is set.

They will obviously do some adding and subtracting between now and September when the regular season kicks off, but the nucleus is in place. The Chargers have made significant changes on offense and defense, as well as within their coaching staff.

Los Angeles Chargers’ Signing of TE David Njoku Predicted to Have Big Impact on 2026 Season

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently identified some free agent signings that have gone under the radar, but could have a big impact on the 2026 season. Los Angeles acquired Njoku was among them.

“L.A. was able to scoop up Njoku on the cheap due to an unfortunate stretch of injuries that forced him to miss 11 total games over the past two seasons. He’s coming off a career-worst campaign, one in which he only contributed 293 yards and four touchdowns on 33 catches while losing snaps to rookie Harold Fannin Jr. Despite the downturn, Njoku is only two seasons removed from a Pro Bowl campaign. He amassed 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 81 catches. He worked as a focal point for the Cleveland Browns’ offense that year, generating a career-most 123 targets while assisting the franchise in making a rare playoff appearance.”

The Chargers signed Njoku to a one-year contract that could be worth up to $8 million. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Njoku has spent his entire nine-year career with the Browns.

How Will David Njoku Fit Into Chargers’ Offense?

Njoku may not be the player he was early in his career, but Kay believes he will have a valuable role within Los Angeles’ offense.

“At worst, the Chargers brought in a large, fast, athletic weapon who quarterback Justin Herbert can lean on in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Njoku has long thrived in those spots, evidenced by the four-plus touchdowns he’s scored in each of the last five seasons. Njoku will join Oronde Gadsden II—a surprisingly impactful fifth-round rookie who contributed 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 49 catches last year—and blocking specialist Charlie Kolar in an offense set to level up with Mike McDaniel now calling the shots under head coach Jim Harbaugh. McDaniel can leverage this talent by deploying more 12 and 13 personnel (meaning two or three tight ends out on the field, respectively) as the Bolts seek to create mismatches across the field.”

The Chargers don’t need Pro Bowl production out of Njoku. Their offense will be mostly centered around Omarion Hampton and the rushing attack. In the passing game, Herbert’s top options will be wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, and Hampton possesses good receiving skills as well.

As Kay pointed out, Gadsden had a breakout year in 2025, and could continue to develop into an even better player. Gadsden and Njoku should make for a dynamic duo, helping to open things up for each other. McDaniel has a good track record with tight ends. Last season with the Miami Dolphins, Darren Waller’s career resurged under McDaniel. Jonnu Smith and Mike Gesicki also had productive years in McDaniel’s offense.