The Athletic Football Show

Episode: The Chargers, Commanders and Steelers kick off the annual TAFS Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason Series
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Robert Mays
Guests: Daniel Popper (Chargers beat), Nikki Javala (Commanders beat), Mike Tafabo (Steelers beat)

Episode Overview

Robert Mays kicks off The Athletic’s annual “Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason” series from the 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Joined by beat writers Daniel Popper, Nikki Javala, and Mike Tafabo, the episode explores the Chargers, Commanders, and Steelers—three franchises marked by transition, turnover, and major intrigue this spring. Each segment analyzes coaching decisions, cap space, roster holes, team-building philosophy, and how upcoming free agency and the draft might reshape these organizations.

Segment 1: Los Angeles Chargers with Daniel Popper

Coaching Turnover and Philosophy

Timestamps: 03:36–12:04

• The Chargers enter the 2026 offseason with massive financial flexibility (potentially up to $100 million in cap space) and staff changes.
• Firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman was prompted by another playoff clunker—just three points scored against the Patriots.

  "Three points in a playoff game. ... They needed an offensive coordinator who could come in and give the quarterback layups, engineer and manufacture offense through the scheme itself and not put all of this on Justin Herbert's shoulders." — Daniel Popper (05:13)

• Injuries on the offensive line (Slater, Alt out; inconsistent lineup) mitigated some of Roman's faults, but poor pass protection and lack of solutions against high-leverage blitzes were fatal flaws.
• Mike McDaniel is hired as OC, aiming to scheme open receivers and ease Justin Herbert’s burden—as he did for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami:

  "His ability to get a quarterback to play on time and kind of create a track for the quarterback to play on... we saw him do that consistently with Tua in Miami." — Robert Mays (10:05)

New Defensive Coordinator and Staff Continuity

Timestamps: 11:25–14:16

• Chris O'Leary (former safeties coach and Western Michigan DC) promoted for scheme continuity following Jesse Minter's exit.
• O’Leary deeply involved in game-planning especially Derwin James' role and demonstrates “Jesse Minter’s scheme” on his Western Michigan tape:

  "So much of this defense and what makes it unique is the role ... for Derwin James. Chris O'Leary was the point man in developing that role." — Daniel Popper (12:04)

Roster Building and Cap Space Deployment

Timestamps: 14:16–24:37

• Could have $100M cap space; already re-signed key DL Tyre Tartt.
• Edge free agents:
  • Khalil Mack (age 35, still valuable but aging).
  • Odafe Oweh (age 27, more pass-rush-driven).
  • Popper expects both could return:

    "That's what I'm thinking is that both of them come back. ... You have to have three high quality edge rushers." — Daniel Popper (15:35)

• Emphasis on maintaining proven combinations, especially with a “green” new DC who needs roster talent.
• Discussion on interior O-line: prioritizing bringing back Zion Johnson; mid-level free agents for center/guard due to a poor center draft class; spending needed after last year’s “half measure.”

  "If you do resign Zion, you can figure out the other two positions... If you don't re sign Zion, you're now looking for three new starters on the interior. That is really, really difficult to do in one off season." — Daniel Popper (20:22)

• Mays: interior O-line options are deeper in free agency, but starting-caliber tackles are rare.

Other Roster Needs and Approaches

Timestamps: 24:37–28:29

• Other areas to address:
  • Interior DL next to Tartt (Hand or bargain hunt).
  • Cornerback (potential first-round investment).
  • Tight end: finding a run-blocking/move TE to fit McDaniel’s system.
  • Safety depth: need options next to Elijah Molden, possibly just re-signing Tony Jefferson for continuity.

Team-Building Philosophy

Timestamps: 28:29–30:31

• Chargers have a reputation (held over from Ravens roots) for frugality and “don’t overpay”—but after big failures/injuries, might be forced toward urgency.

  "It's easy to operate that way early in a regime. ... You're two years into this thing. You went and got Jim Harbaugh to coach your football team and you have zero playoff wins. The urgency starts to factor in." — Daniel Popper (29:42)

• Joe Ortiz: wants to “feel good about the player and know the player” before spending big; possible connection to Tyler Linderbaum at center.

Segment 2: Washington Commanders with Nikki Javala

Overhaul Underway: Coaching, Roster, and Cap Space

Timestamps: 34:29–38:00

• A massive reset: only ~seven locked-in starters, two first-time (promoted) coordinators, $75–$90M in cap space, and as many as 30 FAs to replace.

  "That is not necessarily shocking for the average team in the NFL that has $75 million in cap space. ... It's just a level of turnover that it would have been really, really difficult to imagine this a year ago." — Robert Mays (35:49)

• Past trades (notably for Marshon Lattimore) have left them with limited picks (no 2nd/4th rounder), complicating their rebuild.

Draft Outlook and Roster Priorities

Timestamps: 38:00–41:54

• #7 overall pick in a class top-heavy with edge rushers, less so QBs; likely targets include pass rusher or safety (Caleb Downs).

  "They gotta get better up front. They got to get better on the entire defense, but especially up front and they got to get some elite talent there." — Nikki Javala (38:18)

• Defense is decimated: need edge, linebacker, multiple DBs, depth on DL.
• O-line relatively intact except for LG.

Free Agency and Team-Building

Timestamps: 40:48–44:35

• With 30 FAs, cap space will evaporate quickly—many adds are depth/stopgaps.
• Adam Peters history suggests preference for mid-level FAs and building through the draft.
  • TE (pass-catching need), edge (e.g., Jalen Phillips), safety (veteran presence).
  • “Receiver at 7?”—possible, but more likely a later-round focus unless a truly elite option falls.
• Brandon Aiyuk floated as a possibility (played with QB Jaden Daniels, links to GM), but health and price questioned.

Coaching Changes and Philosophical Shift

Timestamps: 45:07–50:23

• Defense: Durante Jones brought in to mimic “Minnesota-style” defense—prioritize schematic adaptability.
• Offense: Move from Kingsbury’s college-style, high-tempo shotgun attack (worked w/ Jaden Daniels but wore down over time) to David Blough, expected to implement more under center, West Coast principles.

  "They want to get him under center more ... I could see Blough's defense looking much more like a Ben Johnson type of defense with more west coast principles." — Nikki Javala (48:23)

Big Picture: Blank Slate, Priorities, and Urgency

Timestamps: 48:46–51:13

• Commanders are a “blank slate”—personnel and schemes open for reinvention.
• Their free agency approach will reveal priorities: big splash for pass rush, or emulate team-building diversity like the Vikings with backend focus.

  "This is year three for Dan Quinn and Adam Peters. ... I feel like the NFL ... the urgency is greater than ever. ... When you fire both of your coordinators, your time, the hourglass is turned over for you as head coach." — Robert Mays (50:23)

Segment 3: Pittsburgh Steelers with Mike Tafabo

Organizational Identity and Coaching Change

Timestamps: 53:37–58:20

• Steelers still obsessed with ending their playoff win drought—may be losing sight of chasing higher goals (Super Bowl contention).

  "They believe that they are a wide receiver and a couple shiny pieces, a 43 year old quarterback away from winning their first playoff game in a decade. ... Their ultimate goal is what can they do to snap this now near decade drought without a playoff win. ... They're losing track of the larger vision." — Mike Tafabo (54:14)

• After Mike Tomlin’s resignation, they stick with a familiar, risk-averse approach and hire Mike McCarthy, which frustrates a fanbase desperate for something new:

  "In reality, this was very Steeler-like because it was in a lot of ways ... the safest thing that's very measured in the way the Steelers have been recently." — Mike Tafabo (57:48)

Quarterback Plan: More Aaron Rodgers?

Timestamps: 58:28–63:36

• All signs point to running it back with Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy—"the offensive version of the Mike Tomlin Steelers."
• Developmental QB (Will Howard) and maybe a dice-roll on a day-two pick (but the class is thin), but not expected to take a QB high.

  "They are terrified of getting Kenny Pickett. Because you need a quarterback. You draft a quarterback now you've set the franchise back three, four years trying to develop a guy that there's no developing." — Mike Tafabo (63:05)

• Fans want to see Will Howard, even if it means being bad and setting up the next regime for a high pick.

Aging Roster, Waiting Out the Reset

Timestamps: 63:36–66:22

• 31st oldest team in the league last year; players like Cam Heyward, possibly Jalen Ramsey, and John Smith could be gone soon.
• Likely a “delayed reset”—another 7–10 win season, then an age/cap reset after 2026.

  "It feels like everything they're doing in 2026 is just set up to delay the inevitable reset that will ultimately need to happen in the next two off seasons." — Robert Mays (65:04)

• Patrick Graham (new DC) may get more out of the defense, but unless there's a sudden step up, mediocrity will likely continue.

Free Agency Philosophy and Roster Tweaks

Timestamps: 66:22–74:57

• $44M–70M cap space depending on veteran cuts; team is constructed to win now but is stuck between window strategies.
• Likely to chase veteran WRs to please Rodgers, but at the expense of development of guys like Roman Wilson.

  "When bringing in Aaron Rodgers becomes a detriment to developing young talent and preparing for that next window ... [that] would be the biggest mistake." — Mike Tafabo (68:50)

• Possible targets: veteran corner opposite Joey Porter Jr., safety, but with an eye on not mortgaging 2027/2028, when the team could have one of the best young, cheap cores in the league.

The Dilemma: Two Windows, No Wins

Timestamps: 69:59–74:57

• Trying to straddle present and future means risking neither window pans out.

  "The danger in trying to win in two windows is you don't win in either one of them. ... You have to be making decisions for one window and I don't know that they've committed themselves to either one." — Mike Tafabo (69:59)

• Will they finally lean younger, or keep chasing the short-term fix?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Greg Roman deserves a little bit of credit for how he navigated that situation. Still allowing the Chargers to get to 11 wins. But they did not play well in, in that playoff game.” — Daniel Popper (05:13)
• “The urgency starts to factor in... You're two years into this thing. ... You have zero playoff wins.” — Daniel Popper (29:42)
• “It’s just a level of turnover that it would have been really, really difficult to imagine this a year ago.” — Robert Mays on Commanders (35:49)
• “They believe that they are a wide receiver and a couple shiny pieces, a 43 year old quarterback away from winning their first playoff game in a decade. ... They are so close to like they're always in the conversation but never in contention.” — Mike Tafabo (54:14)
• “When bringing in Aaron Rodgers becomes a detriment to developing young talent and preparing for that next window, that would be the biggest mistake that they could make.” — Mike Tafabo (68:50)
• “The danger in trying to win in two windows is you don't win in either one of them." — Mike Tafabo (69:59)

Key Timestamps

• 03:36 – 30:31: Chargers segment with Daniel Popper (cap space, coaching, edge rushers, OL, roster philosophy)
• 34:29 – 51:13: Commanders segment with Nikki Javala (reset, cap, draft, defensive priorities, coaching changes)
• 53:37 – 74:57: Steelers segment with Mike Tafabo (identity, McCarthy hire, Rodgers, QB plan, aging roster, window dilemma)

Overall Tone & Language

• Analytical but conversational; skeptical of risk-averse, status quo NFL thinking.
• Informed speculation, candid about front office philosophies, energetic back-and-forth.
• A touch of frustration, especially with teams "straddling" windows without clear direction.

Quick Reference Table

| Team | Cap Space | Main Issues | Coach/Philosophy | Roster Needs | |--------------|------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------| | Chargers | $80–$100M | OL overhaul, new OC/DC | Harbaugh/McDaniel, O'Leary | OL, edge, TE, S depth, CB | | Commanders | $75–$90M | Massive turnover, 30 FA, 7 starters| Dan Quinn, Durante/BLough | Edge, DB, WR, LB, S, TE, depth | | Steelers | $44–$70M | QB limbo, aging, stuck-in-middle | Mike McCarthy, Patrick Graham| WR, S, CB, future QB |

For listeners or readers, this episode is an in-depth, in-the-weeds look at three NFL teams facing pivotal moments. The analysis serves not only those fans directly, but anyone interested in roster construction, NFL organizational philosophy, or how teams with resources and uncertainty are shaping the 2026 offseason.