Bleav in Chargers

NFL legend and host of Simms Complete, Phil Simms, joins Bleav in Chargers to discuss why Justin Herbert remains one of the league's elite quarterbacks, how new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel can transform the Chargers' offense, and why this could be Herbert's best opportunity to enter the NFL MVP conversation. Simms also shares his thoughts on Omarion Hampton, the revamped tight end room, Qu...

ESPN analyst and Chargers radio color analyst Daniel Jeremiah joins Matt "Money" Smith to break down why the Chargers offense is built to take a major leap in 2026. The guys discuss Mike McDaniel's creative scheme, how upgraded tight ends and fullbacks could transform the offense, Justin Herbert's MVP potential, Omarion Hampton's fit, underrated training camp battles, and why this could...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal spend most of the episode on Tuli Tuipulotu's looming extension, breaking down why his agents likely want $40M+ and if the Chargers can manage to swing that. The broader cap picture also gets laid out noting Herbert's cap jump next year and how to manage many other possible extensions. The guys close with OTA takeaways — genuine excitement about Mike M...

Matt Money Smith and Lorenzo Neal report live from Chargers minicamp Day 1, with Money calling this the deepest roster he's seen in 10 years covering the team — and backing it up with a bold guarantee: score 24 points per game and they won't lose more than three. The key storyline is Mike McDaniel scaling back Herbert's throwing entirely to rebuild his footwork from scratch, with buy-in already sp...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal break down an OTA week headlined by four press conferences from new OL coach Butch Barry, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, center Tyler Biadasz, and left guard Kayode Awosika. Barry's message defines the whole episode: be proactive, establish the standard, force the defense to react. On defense, Tomlinson explains why free agents keep choosing the Chargers: the st...

Matt Money Smith and Lorenzo Neal recap a loaded OTA session headlined by Justin Herbert's presser, where he broke down his work with Mike McDaniel on quick-game footwork and anticipation throws. Rashawn Slater delivered a "window is now" declaration, vowing this Chargers roster is too talented not to make a deep playoff run, while Joe Alt raved about the demands of McDaniel's run-blocki...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal open by addressing Justin Herbert's brief OTA absence for Madison Beer's European tour, using it as a showcase for how Jim Harbaugh's player-first culture sets this team apart. Money breaks down what he saw at practice — the O-line being put through Mike McDaniel's wide zone scheme at full speed, a tight end group built for heavy 13 personnel, and Quen...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal dig into the Chargers' newly released 2026 schedule, breaking down what is objectively one of the toughest draws in the league. The guys walk through game-by-game projections, landing on a 4-2 record heading into the bye as a realistic best-case scenario after a brutal mid-season gauntlet of Buffalo, Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, the Rams, the Texans,...

Phil Simms and Matt Simms welcome back NFL legend Joe Theismann to Simms Complete for a wide-ranging quarterback state of the union heading into the 2026 season. They dig into Justin Herbert's new partnership with Mike McDaniel, the growth of Jakson Dart in New York, and Theismann's core belief that protecting mobile quarterbacks from themselves is the defining coaching challenge of the modern era...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal report a genuine buzz at Chargers Phase 2 workouts — Herbert absorbed a month of McDaniel's footwork concepts in three days, and when he's getting the ball out sub-2.4 seconds the numbers say he's the best QB in the league. McDaniel publicly compared Quentin Johnston to Julio Jones and Andre Johnson, Money calls 2026 the Year of Ladd McConkey, and the...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal break down the tight end market after David Njoku's visit ended without a deal — and make the case that Jonnu Smith is the better fit anyway, given his monster 2024 season alongside Mike McDaniel in Miami. They explain how the Chargers planned to draft a tight end but got priced out as the board ran on them in the second and third round. Money recaps J...

Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal analyze the Chargers' draft class, led by pass-rusher Akheem Mesidor, who is projected for immediate impact. They examine why the Chargers focused on the trenches, fortifying the offensive line and reinforcing the defensive front to shape a tougher roster. They address the key offseason decision to pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option and consider how ne...

With the NFL Draft just hours away, Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal go live to break down what the Los Angeles Chargers could do with the 22nd overall pick. There’s a strong focus on why adding an edge rusher could have the biggest immediate impact for LA, especially for a team ready to compete now. The guys also touch on how late free agency and potential trades could still shape the roster e...

Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal preview the 2026 NFL Draft with one week to go, debating whether the Chargers should use pick 22 on OG Chase Bisontis of Texas A&M — a player Matt calls a plug-and-play Pro Bowl candidate — or trade back to accumulate picks while still landing a starter. The guys address the Rueben Bain Jr. car accident story that resurfaced this week, calling it a...

With the NFL Draft just weeks away, Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal dive into a debate: do you prioritize upside… or go all-in on proven production? The discussion starts with drafting Miami’s Ahkeem Mesidor as a potential plug-and-play weapon or making a trade for Dexter Lawrence. They also tackle roster decisions, draft strategy, and why blue-chip players matter most when it matters most. Ho...

On a special edition of Bleav in Chargers, Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson joins Lorenzo Neal and Matt “Money” Smith to reflect on one of the most dominant eras of Chargers football. LT discusses his mindset, his team's physical identity, and what made their run game nearly unstoppable. LT shares stories from legendary battles with Ray Lewis to record-setting touchdowns. He also discusses the cu...

The Chargers had $100 million to spend in free agency and still have $48 million left — so what's the plan? Matt "Money" Smith and Lorenzo Neal break it all down on this week's Bleav in Chargers. They cover every key Chargers free agency move including the Tyler Biadasz signing at center, Charlie Kolar at tight end, Alec Ingold at fullback, and Khalil Mack's return, why fans frustrated a...

On this episode of Bleav in Chargers, Matt “Money” Smith goes live for a Q&A and dives into where the Chargers really stand after free agency. Money sees a clear direction: build through the draft, trust the process, and prioritize the offensive line but not in the way fans might expect. The upgrade at center with Tyler Biadasz is massive, but guard is still a question, and it feels like the t...

The Chargers kicked off free agency with several key moves as Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz continue shaping the roster. Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal break down the biggest additions, including fullback Alec Ingold, center Tyler Biadasz, and blocking tight end Charlie Kolar, and what they signal for the offense moving forward. The guys also discuss the departures of Zion Johnson and Odafe Owe...

Athlon Sports draft analyst Luke Easterling joins Matt “Money” Smith to preview the Chargers’ offseason. They break down Luke’s latest mock draft, why improving the interior offensive line is key to protecting Justin Herbert, and how the Chargers should approach free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. 1:30 Luke Easterling joins the show 2:30 Free agency approaching & Chargers cap space 3:40 Mock D...

Broadcasting from Indianapolis during Combine week, Matt “Money” Smith is joined by Lorenzo Neal to recap what the latest at the Combine. The discussion starts on defensive line workouts and how teams are evaluating explosiveness, depth, and positional value. They also dive into roster construction, emphasizing the importance of building in the trenches first, staying disciplined with cap space, a...

Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal break down the Chargers’ offseason priorities, starting with the ongoing conversation about restructuring Justin Herbert’s contract and how it could create valuable cap space without limiting roster flexibility. The guys dive into the economics of the NFL salary cap, explaining how teams like Kansas City and Philadelphia manipulate contracts to stay competitive....

Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal react to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win and use it as a blueprint for the Chargers’ future. The biggest takeaway: games are still won in the trenches, and protecting the quarterback is everything. The guys detail the pounding Justin Herbert has taken over the past three seasons and argue the Chargers must prioritize rebuilding the interior offensive line and inves...

Daniel Popper joins Matt “Money” Smith to break down the Chargers’ coordinator hires, what Chris O’Leary brings defensively, how Mike McDaniel can elevate Justin Herbert, and the biggest roster questions heading into free agency and the draft. 0:00  – Welcome + Daniel Popper Joins the Show 2:10  – Chargers Hire Chris O’Leary as DC 5:00  – O’Leary’s Jesse Minter Roots 8:40  – Defensive Scheme Conti...

Matt “Money” Smith and Lorenzo Neal break down the  Mike McDaniel hire on offense and what it means for the Chargers. They discuss McDaniel’s relationship with Jim Harbaugh, why Harbaugh is empowering him, and how their collaboration could shape the team’s identity. Plus: what the offense and personnel could look like, the biggest changes to expect, and how quickly this could translate on Sundays....