The 2026 season is slowly approaching, and it will be a big one for the Chargers. Big things are expected for the Bolts, but it won't come easy, as they have a daunting schedule and are in one of the toughest divisions in football.
The Chargers will need to scratch and claw their way to the top, and former Raiders coach-turned-analyst Jon Gruden believes Los Angeles will come up short in the AFC West race.
Gruden was asked to pick his winner in the division, and he chose the Broncos over the Chargers.
"I'm going to pick Denver, just because of the continuity," Gruden said.
Coach Gruden has the Denver Broncos winning the AFC West pic.twitter.com/q3IeoiUCa3
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"Head coach, quarterback, almost all their starters are back on both sides of the ball, and
they're going to get a jolt from [Jaylen] Waddle."
Gruden said he thinks the Chargers will come in second in the division.
"I like the Chargers in second."
While that is the case, Gruden does think that the Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs could make the playoffs.
"I think all three of those teams can be playoff teams."
According to DraftKings, the Chargers have the second-best odds to win the AFC West at +190.
The Chiefs have the best odds to come out on top at +160.
The Chargers are entering a pivotal season as head coach Jim Harbaugh enters his third season alongside general manager Joe Hortiz.
This offseason, the Chargers retooled like no other and have put themselves in as good a position as any team to make a deep playoff run.
The 2026 Chargers will be judged on their playoff success, as they have not won a playoff game in nearly a decade.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Jon Gruden predicts AFC West winner: Why he has Chargers in second
