The Los Angeles Chargers are currently 8-4 on the season thanks to some strong performances to the defense.
The Bolts defense is currently allowing 21 points per game, which is the 11th fewest points allowed in the league. The offense on the other hand, is averaging 23.1 points per game, the 18th most in the league. It isn’t a knock at the offense, but handing more credit to the defense for keeping the team in the game.
Los Angeles defense has a few aging players who are in the latter half of their career and could potentially see their way into retirement at the end of next season.
While the season isn’t over, one NFL analyst makes a bold free agency prediction on who the Chargers will sign in 2026.
Chargers Predicted To Sign Former First-Team All-Pro
GettyTrey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals
The Los Angeles Chargers defensive front has been one of the teams strongest positions under Jim Harbaugh.
Los Angeles finished the 2024 season with 46 sacks on the season, which was tied for the sixth most in the league. After Week 13 of the 2025 season, the Bolts are tied for sixth with 36 sacks.
With the end of the regular season approaching, the Bolts have to prepare for the future of their D-line. The Chargers have Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree, who both signed a one year deal in the offseason, are in the latter end of their career. Neither have clear plans for the future, leaving the future of the pass rush game in LA in question.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin makes a prediction that the Bolts will acquire a new EDGE rusher in the 2026 free agency, believing the team will sign Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
“The face of offseason headlines thanks to a years-long contract dispute with Cincinnati, Hendrickson is sidelined from the Bengals’ pass rushing rotation due to lingering injuries. The All-Pro sack artist started 2025 strong with four sacks in his first six games but has no clear timeline to return,” Benjamin wrote.
“The Bengals are trying to forge a desperate playoff push without Hendrickson, leaning upon the return of fellow standout Joe Burrow, and all indications are the former is destined for new pastures this offseason. After repeatedly eyeing a trade out of town, Hendrickson is due to test the market.”
Money To Sign Trey Hendrickson
GettyCincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow
Trey Hendrickson has been a key part of the Bengals defense the last few years. The pass rusher has been a Pro Bowler in every single season since joining the franchise, recording 57 total sacks.
The main issue Cincy cannot extend their dominate EDGE rusher is due to cap space issues, primarily with almost half it going to three players on the offense.
Cincinnati still has 50 more players to have on the roster and it would be hard to do that if Hendrickson were on a multi-year, $30 million average annual value.
According to Over the Cap, the Chargers have around $101.7 million in cap space for the 2026 season. This could entice Hendrickson to make the move to LA and get the money he wants.
If the pass rusher were to sign with Los Angeles, it would give the team a strong pass rush duo on the edges when he teams up with Tuli Tuipulotu, the third year player who currently leads the team with 10 sacks, almost double of the next defender.
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