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Insider finds silver lining in Jesse Minter departure for young Chargers defense appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With the Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp highlighted by Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel leading the way to a new offense, the defensive side of the ball has been overlooked. As the 2026 Chargers prepare ahead of the season, this NFL insider gives insight into the defense and how the future is bright, despite Jesse Minter no longer being the coordinator of the unit.While Minter left Los Angeles to be the new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Chris O’Leary gets the nod as defensive coordinator, having had the same role with Western Michigan in 2025. Having been with the Chargers before as a safeties coach in 2024 in the first year under Jim Harbaugh, there is familiarity.As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated points out, Los Angeles’ defense has “consistently gotten bigger” over the past three seasons under Harbaugh, as the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson boosts the identity of wanting a “rugged, physical front.”Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)More on the Chargers’ defense Having that ruggedness on the defensive line with Ahkeem Mesidor, Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu, and an interesting linebacker core of Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, Del’Shawn Phillips, and Daiyan Henley, the defense is set up for a good year. Not to mention that the Chargers’ defense is led by star Derwin James, who was said to be a “huge advocate” for O’Leary to return.“O’Leary returning after a year of calling the defense at Western Michigan seems to be great news for the secondary he coached here in 2024—and in particular Tarheeb Still, the team’s instinctive, young corner who’s taken ownership of his role in the scheme,” Breer wrote.“And for what it’s worth, Derwin James, the one superstar the team has in a very balanced defensive group, was a huge advocate of bringing O’Leary back to fill the very big void left with Jesse Minter’s departure for Baltimore,” Breer continued.At any rate, it remains to be seen how Los Angeles’ defense will perform under O’Leary’s first season as defensive coordinator, as Week 1 for the team is on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.Related: Chargers’ Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel hype train gets insider backing during training campRelated: Chargers OC Mike McDaniel praises rookie WR after strong training camp start