Charlie Kolar spent the first four years of his career buried on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart, but the former fourth-round pick might finally have an opportunity to shine with the Los Angeles Chargers. Selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Iowa State product made a name for himself as one of the league’s better blocking tight ends and, on paper, has the physical ability to be a solid pass-catcher. However, he never recorded more than 10 passes in a season, largely because Baltimore already had tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely on the roster.
The Chargers clearly believe Charlie Kolar is capable of more, as the team signed him to a three-year, $24.3 million contract, which is pretty good money for a player who has never been much of a threat in the passing game. Perhaps his usage will remain the same in a new environment, but Daniel Popper of The Athletic believes Kolar could break out in 2026.
“Kolar was an elite run blocker in Baltimore and will continue to fill that role for the Chargers,” Popper writes. “Kolar also has a ton of untapped potential as a pass catcher, and that is where the breakout could happen in Los Angeles. Kolar was playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely with the Ravens. He will get more opportunities in the passing game for the Chargers. Kolar has never caught more than 10 passes in a season. His career high in receiving yards is 142. Kolar is poised to surpass those figures handily in 2026.”
Charlie Kolar Expected to Break Out For Chargers In 2026
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves running the football, so it’s safe to assume that Charlie Kolar will spend a good chunk of the season opening rushing lanes for 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton. Los Angeles had the worst offensive line in football last year, and while Kolar is not a tackle, his presence will improve the team’s overall ability in the trenches.
A Charlie Kolar breakout would also likely come at the expense of former fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden II. Selected out of Syracuse, Gadsden dramatically outplayed his draft status and finished the season with 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets. While his production came and went throughout the year, this was a wildly encouraging start for the tight end.
Chances are, the Chargers will use Gadsden as their pass-catching tight end and Charlie Kolar for blocking work. Kolar will likely have a few more opportunities to catch passes in Los Angeles, but he probably won’t put up fantasy-relevant numbers.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
