[Editor’s Note: This article previewing training camp across the AFC West was written by W.G. Ramirez]
The AFC West will be one of the NFL’s deepest and most competitive divisions in 2026, with the Denver Broncos looking to defend their crown after unseating the Kansas City Chiefs.
Though the Broncos turned in a 14-3 campaign last season, and quarterback Bo Nix brings yet another year of experience with him, oddsmakers have made the Chiefs the favorite.
At DraftKings, the Chiefs are +160 to return to the top of the division, while the Los Angeles Chargers are the second choice, at +190. The Broncos (+225) come in third, while the Las Vegas Raiders are a longshot at +2000.
With Sean Payton entering his fourth season under the headset in Denver, and announcing he is handing over offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb, the Broncos have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations after making it to the AFC Championship last season.
The Chargers are talented enough to take over as top dog in the AFC West, with coach Jim Harbaugh adding Mike McDaniel to the staff as offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s expertise in how defenses play different coverages, schemes, fronts and blitz patterns will benefit an offense that ranked 14th last season, with drives ending in a score 42.3 percent of the time.
As long as the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, they’ll always be one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Mahomes being cleared for training camp after having surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee should serve notice to the rest of the division that Kansas City is on the prowl for a return to the postseason.
With the Raiders, there is no pressure to win four, seven, or 10 games. They don’t have to make the postseason, and certainly aren’t talking Super Bowl in their team facility just outside of Vegas, in Henderson, Nevada. But what makes this team dangerous is the eagerness of a brand new coaching staff and refreshed roster.
2026 AFC West Training Camp Preview
Here is a deeper look at the teams in the AFC West:
Denver Broncos: Critical Season Ahead In The Mile High City
It’s not a make-or-break season for Payton, but if there was ever a time to expect the Broncos to navigate into the final Sunday of the season next February. It took him three seasons to turn a franchise around from “Nowhere Ville” and into a Super Bowl contender.
It’s hard not to imagine what might have happened if quarterback Bo Nix hadn’t broken his ankle in the divisional round of the playoffs, a victory over the Buffalo Bills. It’s safe to assume they would have scored more than seven points and amassed more than 181 offensive yards.
On the mend, Nix has a legitimate target on incoming Jalen Waddle, acquired when Payton sent Denver’s first-round pick to Miami. The Broncos ranked 18th last season with 2.05 points per drive, and could see that number rise. Amazingly, considering we’re talking about an offensive-minded coach, Payton’s strength with this team is on the defensive side of the ball.
The Broncos ranked third in points allowed under coordinator Vance Joseph, and by putting the ball back in the offense’s hands, Nix and Waddle will have plenty of opportunities.
Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes’ Return Leads Training Camp Intrigue
To be fair, the Chiefs were struggling even before Mahomes’ knee injury in December. But when they lost their star quarterback for the season, they secured their first losing season in coach Andy Reid’s 13-year tenure in Kansas City. Both Mahomes and Reid will be out to avenge the losing campaign, and that’s bad news for the other three teams in the division.
While a reboot to the offense starts with Mahomes and will be bolstered by Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, it’s the new look defense that will be key to returning the Chiefs to the postseason. Kansas City ranked third in the NFL in blitz percentage (31.3% per dropback), but its 35 sacks came in tied for seventh fewest in the league.
Also, coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense ranked 29th in third-down conversions allowed (43.6%). By addressing the stop unit’s athleticism up front and strengthening the secondary, limiting the opposition becomes an immediate key.
Las Vegas Raiders: The Mendoza Era Begins
All eyes are on overall No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, and when he might make his NFL debut. It’s been made clear that there is no rush to start him, as first-year coach Klint Kubiak wants to bring the Heisman Trophy winner along slowly. The Raiders have veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster to start things, and he might be the best answer to play the role of bridge quarterback.
The star of the offense might end up being running back Ashton Jeanty, as the workhorse rushed for 975 yards and turned in 1,321 offensive yards working behind a dysfunctional line. With better coaching in place and what is expected to be an improved offensive front, Jeanty could be poised for a big season.
The other name to watch for in the boxscores will be receiver Jalen Nailor, who returns to the city he starred for in high school. Everyone knows what Maxx Crosby is capable of; it’s a matter of him staying healthy, and the defense establishing its role from the jump.
Los Angeles Chargers: The McDaniel/Herbert Marriage In LA
The Chargers might finally see some offensive efficiency with McDaniel being able to focus on one unit rather than running an entire team. After serving as head coach in Miami for four seasons, McDaniel might be able to read defensive schemes even better, and that’ll benefit quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Bolts ranked 25th in the league with 5.7 net yards per pass attempt, which is atrociously low for a talent like Herbert under center. With a healthy offensive line, Herbert hopes to remain upright a lot more after the team allowed 60 sacks last season — tied for second most in the NFL.
Herbert’s 54 sacks were a career high. After consecutive 11-win seasons, and a top 10 defense that limited the opposition to 5.0 yards per play (10th in the NFL), this could be a breakout season for the Chargers.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Senior Staff Writer at TeamFB7.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez
