We’ve just released Episode 154 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis is below:
#BoltUp! The initial 53-man roster is SET! Today on Thunder Down Under Chargers, we break down Joe Hortiz’s roster construction, analye the surprise cuts and trades, and grade every position group ahead of the 2026 season.
What we cover today:
🚨53-Man Roster Reactions: Initial takes, the biggest cut/hold surprise, fringe player trades for draft capital, and who is primed for a bigger role than expected.
📊Roster Confidence Meter: We tier every single position group into Ready to Contend, Good Enough, Developing, or Needs Help.
📝 Final Offense & Defense Grades: Giving our final letter grade and one-word verdict for the entire unit. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast!
Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast!
You can also listen on Spotify below (or download on audio wherever you like to listen to podcasts):
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Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening 🙂
Long time team fan, podcaster (with Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast), husband to a beautiful wife, friend to all fellow Chargers fanatics, and father-to-be!
First off, congratulations to Jack and family!! Glad to hear Matilda and mom are doing well. Cheers, mate! Welcome back. 🙂
I’ve already forgotten some of the points I wanted to address….lol. I’ll definitely say this again here (and I started a thread about it earlier). Offensive line, IMHO, is NOT where you platoon players. The only caveat I’d make there is if you have a player (Slater?) who may be on limited reps as he returns from injury. This position group needs continuity. By now we should absolutely know what we have (and don’t have) in Pipkins. We should know for everyone. Slaughter moving to starting center doesn’t change evaluations. This statement by Harbaugh is troubling to me.
Colson….so he made it thru to the PS. That’s fine….and a statement from the league, IMO. Yes, a 3rd round pick coming off a national championship. Would he have been picked there without the MI connection? I hope he continues to improve and becomes a productive Charger….but I’m not banking on it.
Slaughter as Jack’s pick for ….. how was the question worded ….. the player you hope to be proven wrong about? …. is fair but kinda low-hanging fruit by virtue of an injury. I like the player, still don’t like the process, and I’m loathe to declare Hortiz a genius because of an unfortunate, unforeseen event. I’ll go with Al and take DD just to be a curmudgeon….lol.
Jack, I’m with ya on the DL. Top 5 may be a bit rosy but I do think they’ll be a team strength. And I like Carter on the PS. TE would probably be next on my list of position groups I like. I’ve been bullish on Gadsden since the pick and the overall talent in this room improved a LOT.
Does Matlock have incriminating pictures or something??? Sheesh….I would’ve said goodbye to him, Penning, and never given Pipkins that new contract. But I digress….
Expecting good things from Messidoor. I’d have likely kept Tucker over Dupree but that’s not a major gripe. I just think there’s enough vet presence already in this group to choose the younger guy with more juice.
The CB room was a concern for me early and remains one. I hope Genesis Smith becomes the ballhawking safety I hoped for with Adderley. Glad Unc made it.
I answered some of this on YouTube Buck, so won’t repeat again here. But thanks for the engagement and commentary!
(Like you, I have high hopes for what Genesis might become. Needs to clean up the tackling but that range is unique…and he has the football coverage instincts too, it’s not only athleticism)
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Listened earlier today…..
First off, congratulations to Jack and family!! Glad to hear Matilda and mom are doing well. Cheers, mate! Welcome back. 🙂
I’ve already forgotten some of the points I wanted to address….lol. I’ll definitely say this again here (and I started a thread about it earlier). Offensive line, IMHO, is NOT where you platoon players. The only caveat I’d make there is if you have a player (Slater?) who may be on limited reps as he returns from injury. This position group needs continuity. By now we should absolutely know what we have (and don’t have) in Pipkins. We should know for everyone. Slaughter moving to starting center doesn’t change evaluations. This statement by Harbaugh is troubling to me.
Colson….so he made it thru to the PS. That’s fine….and a statement from the league, IMO. Yes, a 3rd round pick coming off a national championship. Would he have been picked there without the MI connection? I hope he continues to improve and becomes a productive Charger….but I’m not banking on it.
Slaughter as Jack’s pick for ….. how was the question worded ….. the player you hope to be proven wrong about? …. is fair but kinda low-hanging fruit by virtue of an injury. I like the player, still don’t like the process, and I’m loathe to declare Hortiz a genius because of an unfortunate, unforeseen event. I’ll go with Al and take DD just to be a curmudgeon….lol.
Jack, I’m with ya on the DL. Top 5 may be a bit rosy but I do think they’ll be a team strength. And I like Carter on the PS. TE would probably be next on my list of position groups I like. I’ve been bullish on Gadsden since the pick and the overall talent in this room improved a LOT.
Does Matlock have incriminating pictures or something??? Sheesh….I would’ve said goodbye to him, Penning, and never given Pipkins that new contract. But I digress….
Expecting good things from Messidoor. I’d have likely kept Tucker over Dupree but that’s not a major gripe. I just think there’s enough vet presence already in this group to choose the younger guy with more juice.
The CB room was a concern for me early and remains one. I hope Genesis Smith becomes the ballhawking safety I hoped for with Adderley. Glad Unc made it.
Yeah….apprehensive here too. Dammit.
I answered some of this on YouTube Buck, so won’t repeat again here. But thanks for the engagement and commentary!
(Like you, I have high hopes for what Genesis might become. Needs to clean up the tackling but that range is unique…and he has the football coverage instincts too, it’s not only athleticism)