Chargers Hit the Reset Button on Offense Under Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Chargers. After parting ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Harbaugh made it clear that the team is headed in a new direction - one that starts with a clean slate and a renewed focus on maximizing the talent already in the building.
“A fresh start, a new direction,” Harbaugh said, echoing a theme that’s quickly becoming central to this new era in Los Angeles. While he praised Roman as a “great football mind” with a successful track record, Harbaugh emphasized the need for change - not just for the coaching staff, but for the entire offensive identity of the team.
“There was much that was done well,” Harbaugh acknowledged, pointing to the resilience of an offense that had to navigate multiple offensive line combinations throughout the season. But the NFL, as he put it, is “unforgiving” and “unfair.” It’s a results-driven business, and Harbaugh is clearly focused on building a system that delivers.
That system, unsurprisingly, will be built around Justin Herbert.
“It starts with Justin,” Harbaugh said, making it crystal clear that the franchise quarterback is the centerpiece of the Chargers’ future. “Justin’s as good, as smart as they come. I have no questions about his ability as a player.”
What Harbaugh wants now is to surround Herbert with coaches and personnel who share the same urgency and drive. It’s not about Herbert taking on more responsibility - “he’s not looking to be the GM or the coach,” Harbaugh noted - it’s about putting him in the best possible position to succeed. That means crafting an offense that plays to his strengths, keeps him upright, and allows him to do what he does best: make plays.
Harbaugh’s comments signal more than just a change in play-calling. They mark a philosophical shift - one that prioritizes adaptability, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.
The Chargers aren’t just tweaking the offense. They’re rebuilding it with purpose.
Mahomes Leans on Family, Focus as Recovery Continues
Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to pressure, but even for one of the NFL’s most unflappable stars, the road to recovery has tested him mentally as much as physically.
“It definitely weighs on your mental a little bit,” Mahomes admitted, opening up about the challenges that come with working his way back to full strength. But as always, Mahomes has kept his eyes on the bigger picture - getting back on the field with his teammates, ready to go from day one of training camp.
That drive has helped him push through the tough moments, but he’s quick to credit the people around him - especially his family - for helping him stay grounded.
“My wife’s been great,” Mahomes said. “She keeps me involved with the kids, even when I can’t be the dad I usually am - throwing them around the couch and all that. But I’m there, I’m trying, and just being around them has been good for my mental.”
It’s a reminder that even the game’s biggest stars are human. And for Mahomes, being present - even in a limited capacity - has been just as important as rehabbing the physical side of things.
Mahomes on Potential OC Change: “It’s About Evolving”
As the coaching carousel spins, there’s a real possibility that Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy could land a head coaching gig. If that happens, Mahomes knows the team will need to adapt - and quickly.
“Obviously, there are names out there,” Mahomes said, acknowledging the uncertainty around Nagy’s future. “But with how many vacancies there are, you’ve got to let it all play out.”
One thing Mahomes isn’t worried about? Andy Reid having a plan. If Nagy moves on, Mahomes trusts Reid to bring in the right person - someone who not only understands the game, but brings the kind of energy and innovation the Chiefs have built their identity around.
“For me,” Mahomes said, “I just want someone that loves football, that cares about football, wants to give everything they can to win, to hold people accountable, and to bring new ideas every single day.”
That last part - bringing new ideas - is key. Mahomes knows that staying great in the NFL isn’t about standing still.
It’s about evolving. It’s about finding ways to be better tomorrow than you were today, whether it’s a game day or a Wednesday practice.
And that mindset? It’s what’s kept the Chiefs in the contender conversation year after year.
Mahomes isn’t just talking about culture - he’s living it. And whether Nagy stays or goes, the expectations in Kansas City won’t change: accountability, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.