The Chargers will take the field for the first time in 2026 with an opening weekend matchup against the Cardinals on deck.
Here's what Los Angeles needs to do on defense to come away with a win.
Keep the status quo
The best thing that the Chargers can show on Sunday is that they are as close to the same defense as they were last year as possible. Many people would take that outcome, considering the way Los Angeles performed under Jesse Minter last season and the unknowns that come with first-year coordinator Chris O'Leary, a Minter disciple who has already shown that he's willing to send more blitzes than his mentor. If the Chargers execute at the same high level fans have grown accustomed to and add some more exotic pressures that flummox the Cardinals, they'll
come out of Sunday looking like a success story in the making.
Get into the backfield
Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked the sixth-most times in the NFL last season (43), despite only playing 13 games last season. That number was seven more than the next-most-sacked quarterback with 13 games played or fewer. Brissett also fumbled five times last season and has fumbled 39 times in his ten seasons in the NFL, so pressuring him is liable to create turnovers. The Chargers should be able to get after the veteran quarterback with their stable of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and first-rounder Akheem Mesidor coming after the passer, but having proof of concept from that trio on Sunday will go a long way.
Limit Trey McBride
Arizona has a number of talented skill-position players, with wide receivers Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. and third overall pick Jeremiyah Love at running back, but none are more impactful than McBride, who led the Cardinals with 126 receptions for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago. The Chargers are used to playing tight end-centric passing attacks with Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce in the division, however, usually putting nickel Derwin James Jr. in primary coverage against those players. James handling that role against McBride and crunching down in third-down situations will likely keep the Cardinals from sustaining drives.
Attack the right side
Arizona replaced right tackle Jonah Williams with Elijah Wilkinson this offseason, betting that Wilkinson will continue to build on a surprisingly competent season in Atlanta in 2025. But the 31-year-old has never been more than a borderline starter in his career, which should leave the Cardinals vulnerable off the right side. That's even more true with starting right guard Isaiah Adams' status in doubt as he battles a knee injury. Adams did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and will be replaced by swing man Jon Gaines II, who started Arizona's final five games at left guard last season. Gaines allowed 12 pressures and 2 sacks in those five games, so that should be an opportunity for LA to attack if he is pressed into action.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 4 Chargers' defensive keys to victory vs. Cardinals in Week 1
