Jim Harbaugh has the Chargers back in the conversation, even if the postseason results haven’t caught up yet.
Los Angeles is still chasing its first Lombardi Trophy, part of a group of 12 franchises that have never won the Super Bowl. The league’s title history stretches across 60 Super Bowl championships in the 61st year of the Super Bowl Era, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots leading the way at six each. The Browns, Lions, Texans and Jaguars are still waiting for their first trip to the “Big Game.”
For the Chargers, though, the bigger story is the direction they’ve taken under Harbaugh. The team went 11-6 in each of his first two seasons and reached the playoffs both times. That hasn’t solved everything - the playoff losses are still there, and they go back well before Harbaugh arrived - but the overall picture is a lot brighter than it was from 2019-23, when Los Angeles went 36-48 under three different head coaches.
The Harbaugh era has already produced a 22-14 record, and it’s the best sustained stretch the franchise has had since the early 2000s. From 2006-09, the Chargers won four straight AFC West titles. Those were also the last back-to-back playoff berths the franchise had managed until Harbaugh took over in 2024.
The low point before this turnaround remains the 31-30 playoff loss at Jacksonville in 2022, when the Chargers wasted a 27-0 second-quarter lead. That collapse still hangs over the recent history of the team, but it’s also part of why the current run stands out so sharply.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes Harbaugh’s edge is what makes this team dangerous again.
“Harbaugh brought a physical identity with him to L.A.,” explained Kay, “emphasizing toughness, discipline and complementary football. Those traits may not be flashy, but they win games-especially late in the season.”
Kay also pointed to what could be coming next for this group.
“The tools for a double-digit win campaign are all at Harbaugh's disposal in 2026…” added Kay. “While this group limped to the finish line last year due to injuries, the Bolts have made back-to-back playoff appearances under Harbaugh and are likely to make it three in a row this year.”
The front office clearly spent the offseason trying to support that push. General manager Joe Hortiz targeted the interior of the offensive line after Pro Football Focus ranked the unit 30th in the league. Justin Herbert was forced to absorb too many hits behind a line that was missing its starting tackles for either all of 2025 in Rashawn Slater or most of it in Joe Alt.
To address that, the Chargers added center Tyler Biadasz from the Commanders and right guard Cole Strange from the Dolphins in free agency. They also drafted four offensive linemen in April.
Tight end depth got a boost too, with veteran additions Charlie Kolar and David Njoku joining Oronde Gadsden II in a more versatile room for new coordinator Mike McDaniel’s offense.
The big question now is whether year three under Harbaugh finally brings a breakthrough. Los Angeles hasn’t won the AFC West since 2009, and its last playoff victory came in 2018. Both streaks are very much in play heading into this season.
In Other News...
Chargers Rookie Brenen Thompson Just Raised A Tough Roster Question
The Chargers opened preseason with a win over the Texans, and one of the more interesting subplots came from rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson. He chipped in two catches for 30 yards on six targets and added a 12-yard punt return, giving the staff a first look at how his speed translates in live action while he worked mostly alongside backup quarterback Trey Lance.
Thompsons night also showed why the battle for receiver snaps is going to be worth watching. The rookie is currently slotted behind Quentin Johnston on the depth chart, and the mixture of activity and uneven execution offered a glimpse of both his upside and the growing pains that come with trying to carve out a role early in camp. For a young player trying to climb, those preseason reps can matter just as much as the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Take A Chance On A Once-Hyped Pass Rusher
Andre Carter II is getting another NFL opportunity, and this one comes with a little more urgency attached. The Chargers signed the former Army pass rusher as they moved into the preseason, bringing in a player who was once viewed as a rising prospect after a standout 2021 season with the Black Knights.
Carters path has already taken him through multiple high schools, Army, the Vikings and brief stops with the Raiders and Dolphins, but he is still searching for a lasting foothold in the league. For Los Angeles, the appeal is obvious: a chance to take a look at a young edge rusher with pedigree and production, while Carter now has a short window to show enough in the final stretch to stick around. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Backfield Suddenly Looks Like A Real Strength Again
The Chargers walked into camp with a backfield that suddenly looks more like a strength than a question mark, and Omarion Hampton is a big reason why. Even after an injury-shortened rookie season, he showed enough promise to make the team feel good about his long-term outlook, and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has already praised the growth he has seen.
Hampton is hardly carrying the room alone. Keaton Mitchell brings speed and elusiveness, Kimani Vidal has flashed his own burst, and Jarret Patterson adds a more physical element, while Amar Johnson and Greg Desrosiers Jr. have also made the most of limited opportunities. For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for balance, the challenge now is figuring out how many of these backs can turn depth into something more meaningful once the games start. [Read more 🡒]