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2026 NFL season preview: Complete coverage

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh stands among his players before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh stands among his players before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 20.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Another NFL season dawns with the Rams and Chargers each hoping to win the Super Bowl this season at SoFi Stadium in February.

Those lofty ambitions must first survive the 17-game gauntlet that is the NFL regular season. The Rams are the consensus Super Bowl favorite with Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay at the helm. Year 3 of the Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh era will hope to maximize the skills and promise of Justin Herbert.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Rams and Chargers as they embark on a new season.

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Watch out ’72 Dolphins. A Rams team loaded with star talent not only will win the Super Bowl, but they’ll become the first NFL team to go 20-0.

Derwin James Jr., the outstanding safety for the Chargers, doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Winning in the playoffs would go a long way to reversing that.

Mike McDaniel, tasked with reviving the Justin Herbert-led offense for the Chargers, knows how important it is to live life in the moment.

After an offseason of blockbuster trades and Aaron Donald’s return, the Rams enter the season as overwhelming favorites to win another title at SoFi Stadium.

Chargers star Justin Herbert shares an apartment with his older brother, Mitch, an orthopedic surgery resident who is in awe at what Justin has accomplished.

The Chargers are looking for real gains under Jim Harbaugh after two one-and-done playoff campaigns, but can Justin Herbert lead them to a home Super Bowl?

In February 2027, SoFi Stadium will play host to Super Bowl LXI, and the NFL is excited about the possibilities after the stadium’s first Super Bowl was limited by COVID restrictions.

Some of the biggest questions of the 2026 season will center upon quarterbacks who are looking to shine in the playoffs or prove themselves at the NFL level.

As Sean McVay enters his 10th season as Rams coach, his former assistants are leading the Packers, Bengals, Vikings, Jaguars and Cardinals as head coaches.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t pleased his team had to give up a “home game” at SoFi Stadium and is determined to beat the favored Rams.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t pleased his team had to give up a “home game” at SoFi Stadium and is determined to beat the favored Rams.

The Rams and 49ers kick off the NFL season 8,000 miles from home, turning the Melbourne Cricket Ground into the stage for Australia’s first regular-season NFL game.

The Rams are the favorite to win the Super Bowl on home turf this season, and for good reason. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the Week 1 roster.

After the Seattle Seahawks shredded them, the Rams responded by overhauling the secondary, trading for All-Pro Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson.

Sam Farmer makes his picks and score predictions for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with the Rams winning in Australia and the Chargers beating the Cardinals.

Aaron Donald, one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams in hopes of winning another Super Bowl title.

Justin Herbert will once again be the centerpiece of the Chargers’ offense, but several young players could play valuable roles in helping the team find playoff success.

The Rams’ decision to leave as late as possible for their Australian season opener against the 49ers is based in part on previous player experiences.

Sean McVay and the Rams are adopting a different approach from the San Francisco 49ers by delaying travel to Melbourne, Australia, for their season opener.

Aaron Donald, who announced his comeback from retirement just over two weeks ago, will not travel with the Rams to Australia to play the 49ers.

Rookie Brenen Thompson has impressed coaches and teammates so far with his raw speed. He could play a prominent role in Mike McDaniel’s new offensive scheme.

After suffering his fifth loss in the NFC championship game last January, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams is locked-in on helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl.

The Mike McDaniel-orchestrated offense is looking for a complete revival of the running game in 2026, and Omarion Hampton will be key to making that happen.

The running backs coach is the older brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brought him from Miami.

Rams receiver Puka Nacua is saying all the right things after off-field issues. He must back that up and help his team win a Super Bowl.

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