![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791342990_424_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nWe\u2019re a month through the 2026 NFL season and there\u2019s been no shortage of surprises.<\/p>\n
The LA Chargers are one of those. Considered a Super Bowl contender, it\u2019s been a case of Murphy\u2019s Law for the perpetual disappointments… and it appears the pressure has got to their head coach.<\/p>\n
Watch an average 6 games per week and every game of the NFL Postseason, LIVE with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there\u2019s been a new twist in one of the NFL\u2019s more mysterious stories.<\/p>\n
Read on for some of the big talking points in the NFL ahead of Week 5!<\/p>\n
COACH\u2019S FIERY REPLY PUTS UGLY SEASON IN FOCUS<\/p>\n
No team across the NFL has had an uglier first month of the season than the Los Angeles Chargers.<\/p>\n
Before the start of the season, they were a popular pick to win the AFC West and were considered a live Super Bowl hope, especially with offensive mastermind and former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel joining Jim Harbaugh\u2019s staff.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s been a full-blown disaster for the Chargers in 2026.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve lost their first four games and will probably need a miracle to make the playoffs given the fast start of the Chiefs and Raiders in their division. <\/p>\n
Moreover, they\u2019ve got one of the NFL\u2019s toughest schedules to contend with the rest of the way, including a match up with last season\u2019s AFC runner up Denver this weekend.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Justin Herbert has been a shell of himself this season and McDaniel\u2019s offence has looked disjointed at best. <\/p>\n
In fact, the Chargers have scored just 14.7 points a game, which is among the league\u2019s worst marks.<\/p>\n
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky says the Chargers\u2019 offence looks \u2018broken\u2019, while criticising Herbert\u2019s decision making. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision-making was indefensible,\u201d Orlovsky said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are multiple plays where I thought, \u2018what are they doing? This makes no sense\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very broken offence and everybody has their had<\/p>\n
There have been calls for Harbaugh to sack McDaniel, but the head coach has stated that no such move will occur.<\/p>\n
The offensive line hasn\u2019t helped Herbert. They\u2019ve been abysmal and things have gone from bad to worse with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Rashawn Slater set to be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n
Herbert is one of the league\u2019s best quarterbacks, but for the Chargers to have any hope of saving their season, he\u2019ll have to turn into Superman.<\/p>\n
In a new offensive scheme and behind a shoddy offensive line, that likely won\u2019t happen anytime soon. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just on the field. The Chargers appear to be rattled from the top down.<\/p>\n
Harbaugh, who is usually a media favourite at press conferences, snapped at a reporter the day after the team\u2019s most recent loss to Seattle. <\/p>\n
After the reporter touched on the protection issues and Harbaugh\u2019s previous vow to improve the offensive line, he asked the Chargers coach why Herbert still had to be \u2018superhero\u2019 to have a chance to win games, which left Harbaugh unimpressed.<\/p>\n
\u00a8Yeah, that just sounds more like an insult than it does a question,\u00a8 Harbaugh shot back. <\/p>\n
\u00a8But if that is the way you want to look at it \u2026 I\u2019m saying that it\u2019s the kind of competitor that he is where I\u2019ve never seen him flinch. I\u2019ve never seen him rattled. He is an amazing inspiration and that\u2019s what we do.\u00a8<\/p>\n
Harbaugh\u2019s response indicates the pressure is well and truly on in LA.<\/p>\n
Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
BEARS BUILDING DESPITE ADVERSITY<\/p>\n
If the Chargers have been the big disappointments, the Chicago Bears are one of the league\u2019s bright spots in 2026.<\/p>\n
Not so much because their 3-1 record is surprising. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not, after finishing with the No. 2 seed in the NFC and winning a playoff game last season, but it\u2019s how they\u2019ve reached this point which should frighten teams around the league.<\/p>\n
During their Week 2 loss to Minnesota, franchise QB Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury and was carted off.<\/p>\n
Williams\u2019 status is uncertain. The anticipation is that he\u2019ll return in a few weeks, however it could be longer.<\/p>\n
Second-year head coach Ben Johnson then had to turn to veteran QB Case Keenum for a prime time game against the Eagles after back up Tyson Bagent suffered a concussion.<\/p>\n
Keenum, in his first NFL appearance in over 1000 days, was in total command of Johnson\u2019s offence, leading Chicago to an upset 27-7 win over Philadelphia. <\/p>\n
Despite the victory, Keenum reverted back to the bench, with Johnson naming Bagent as the starting QB for last weekend\u2019s game against the Jets.<\/p>\n
Bagent also showed out behind a dominant running game, throwing for 268 yards in the 23-12 win.<\/p>\n
Johnson was considered a gun head coach in waiting while he was Detroit\u2019s offensive co-ordinator.<\/p>\n
Since being hired by Chicago, the hype has been warranted. <\/p>\n
Johnson has proven that most quarterbacks can thrive in his system and that this is a team to be feared, even without the super-talented Williams \u2013 the NFL\u2019s first overall pick in 2024. <\/p>\n
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.Source: AP<\/p>\n
Respected broadcaster Colin Cowherd said as much earlier this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve discovered in the last two weeks \u2013 as gifted as Caleb Williams is \u2013 the centrepiece of the Bears is Ben Johnson,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Johnson has the run game firing on all cylinders.<\/p>\n
The two-headed monster of D\u2019Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have been superb, rushing for 635 yards combined through four games.<\/p>\n
In fact, they\u2019re the first Bears duo to each have at least 300 yards rushing through four games in franchise history. <\/p>\n
The defence deserves their flowers too.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve significantly constricted teams over the first month.<\/p>\n
They rank 4th in scoring defence (16.2 ppg) and 3rd in total defence, allowing just 282 yards per game.<\/p>\n
This is despite the group not really boasting any superstars on that side of the ball. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt that this is a better team with Williams in the line-up, but Bears fans should be confident based on what they\u2019ve seen this season that their team can win games even without their all-world QB.<\/p>\n
The next test will provide another strong indicator on where this team is at.<\/p>\n
On the docket for the Bears in Week 5 is a trip to the vaunted Lambeau Field to take on old rivals, Green Bay.<\/p>\n
The Packers aren\u2019t travelling all that well it must be said, but whenever these two sides play, there\u2019s always so much emotion.<\/p>\n
If Johnson can lead the Bears to a crucial division win with Bagent behind centre, Chicago should almost be considered locks to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n
THE CURIOUS CASE OF JOE MIXON<\/p>\n
One of the strangest stories in the NFL took another twist yesterday when the Seattle Seahawks elected not to sign running back Joe Mixon. <\/p>\n
Mixon\u2019s NFL comeback looked promising when Seattle brought the bruising back in for a workout.<\/p>\n
The signs suggested Mixon would be a Seahawk by the end of the week, however, the defending Super Bowl champions decided against it.<\/p>\n
There are a few question marks around the Seahawks\u2019 running back room, so their interest in Mixon isn\u2019t surprising.<\/p>\n
The Seahawks lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker in the off-season to the Chiefs. <\/p>\n
First round rookie draft pick Jadarian Price is on Injured Reserve with a chest injury while last season\u2019s second-string back Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the playoffs and isn\u2019t due back for a couple more weeks still. <\/p>\n
Mixon hasn\u2019t played an NFL game since the 2024\/2025 playoffs when on the Houston Texans roster.<\/p>\n
He missed all of last season with a mysterious foot injury with speculation running wild on social media on what the issue was and how it was caused.<\/p>\n
It was thought that Mixon\u2019s \u2013 a Pro Bowl running back \u2013 career was over after he told former teammates from the Cincinnati Bengals as much.<\/p>\n
But no retirement paperwork had been filed from Mixon. <\/p>\n
Earlier in the week, the 30-year-old posted on social media a short video which indicated he was planning a comeback and soon after, the news that the Seahawks were keen was reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe Mixon the free agent running back and one of the biggest free agents, visited the Seattle Seahawks but the Seahawks did not pass him on the physical,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Ian Rapoport reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to a degenerative foot injury that may never allow him to play again, the Seahawks elected not to re-sign him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a surprise as this something the Texans knew about which is why he didn\u2019t play his final year in Houston.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether or not he ever plays again is up for debate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2017 second-round pick has recorded totals of 7,417 yards rushing and 64 total touchdowns across his eight seasons in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Joe Mixon in action for the Bengals in 2023.Source: AFP<\/p>\n
EAGLES LEGEND\u2019S STUNNING CAREER CALL<\/p>\n
Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson announced he was retiring in a statement posted to social media on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
The announcement ends a 14-year NFL career for the 36-year-old that had been spent entirely with Philadelphia and saw him win two Super Bowl titles with the Eagles. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have given it my all for 14 years; season after season pushing my body to the max and tirelessly working my craft to not only live up to the legacy of the guys that came before me, but to set a new standard of success for the best franchise in all of sports,\u201d he wrote in his announcement. <\/p>\n
\u201cI deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season. But after a lot of reflection, l\u2019ve realised that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed. Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health. I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organisation and the fans to have my head and heart 100 per cent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it\u2019s time to say goodbye to football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson is one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL and is expected to be a future Hall of Famer. The Eagles drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. <\/p>\n
Over the course of his career, Johnson had been a six-time Pro Bowler and was named a First-Team All-Pro twice. <\/p>\n
Johnson had missed four training camp practices over the summer due to personal reasons and was surprisingly listed as inactive in the Eagles\u2019 Week 4 loss to the Rams for personal reasons. <\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, what\u2019s most important to me is continuing to focus on my mental health and spending more time with my kids and family. But Philadelphia will always be home, and I will forever be an Eagle,\u201d he said in his statement. <\/p>\n
Lane Johnson has retired from the NFL.Source: AP<\/p>\n
Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie praised Johnson in a statement, describing him as an \u201call-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in NFL history.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cLane excelled under multiple coaching staffs, maintaining an elite level of play throughout his entire career. His combination of talent, strength, athleticism, and intelligence made him a truly unique player in this league, and there is no doubt in my mind that one day he will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,\u201d Lurie said in a statement. <\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond his on-field accomplishments, Lane has done a tremendous amount to give back to the community through his numerous charitable endeavours. The courage he has shown using his own personal experiences to advocate for mental health awareness has undoubtedly saved lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate everything Lane has contributed to our organisation, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re a month through the 2026 NFL season and there\u2019s been no shortage of surprises. The LA Chargers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":918930,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-918929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/918929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=918929"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/918929\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/918930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=918929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=918929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=918929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}