The Los Angeles Chargers made some big moves over the offseason, but perhaps at no position did they overhaul their roster more than in their tight end room.

The Chargers added former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler David Njoku earlier this month, agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. Back in March, they paid big money to former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar on a three-year, $24.3 million deal.

Those changes helped Los Angeles earn a place on the list of 10 most improved positional groups in the NFL by ESPN’s Ben Solak. LA’s new tight end room checked in at No. 9 on the list.

ESPN tabs Chargers’ tight end room as one of NFL’s most improved position groups for 2026

“Two things are simultaneously true,” Solak wrote. “The first: Oronde Gadsden was a nice find by Chargers GM Joe Hortiz in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, and he settled into a quality role as a downfield play-action target in the Chargers’ offense. The second: If a fifth-round rookie tight end was a breakout star by Week 6, your tight ends room simply was not very good.”

I’m not sure I necessarily agree with that logic. Oronde Gadsden II’s skill set fit what the Chargers needed like a glove in the passing game. A wide receiver at Syracuse for two of his college seasons, Gadsden’s ceiling as a pass catcher was high. Higher than anyone else in the Chargers’ tight end room last year.

But the position entails more than just the receiving game, and adding someone who boosted the passing attack doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire room was subpar. You can add a missile in the passing game to a group of standout blockers to add a new element to the group.

Chargers’ additions could be the right pieces for 2026

That being said, the Chargers certainly did improve the position over the offseason with the moves they made.

Njoku gives the Chargers another strong option in the passing game and allows new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to get creative with his game plan and play calling out of two tight end sets. McDaniel helped veteran Jonnu Smith have a career year in 2024 with the Dolphins. Smith totaled 84 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns on the way to Pro Bowl honors.

Kolar is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, and he should help the Chargers’ promising running game take another step after an improved 2025 season. He still managed to make some plays in the passing game last year, with 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens.

Both signings are logical, and if McDaniel can properly utilize their strengths, the Chargers’ offense is poised to hit another gear in 2026.