1986 San Diego Chargers season

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.

Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

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

Awards and honors

 * Leslie O'Neal, Defensive Rookie of the Year