The ** San Diego Chargers season** was the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 27th overall. the team failed to improve on their 8–8 record from 1985. Following a stagnant 1–7 start, Head Coach Don Coryell was fired and Al Saunders was named interim Head Coach. After the season, Saunders was named the permanent Head Coach and would hold the position through the end of the 1988 season. Leslie O'Neal was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL draft

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

All game reports use the Pro Football Researchers' gamebook archive as a source.

Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 2: at New York Giants

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 4: at Los Angeles Raiders

Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 9: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10: at Denver Broncos

Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

Week 13: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 14: vs. Houston Oilers

Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 16: at Cleveland Browns

Standings

Awards and honors