By Tim Peterson
(El Segundo) – The Chargers went 5-12 last season. To say they missed the playoffs is an obvious conclusion. The post season was nowhere in sight as the season turned into a disaster.
So what’s the difference heading into 2024? The Chargers still have the same quarterback in Justin Herbert. They still have Joey Bosa and Khail Mack as edge rushers on defense as well as safety Derwin James and cornerback Assante Samuel Jr.
Special teams return specialist Derius Davis is back as is wide receiver Joshua Palmer. But these are all positive things. Herbert was great as was Davis. Palmer did what was expected and as for Bosa, Mack and James? If they can avoid the bug that frequently hits NFL teams every year – the injury bug – they’ll be fine.
Ok, but still, what’s the difference? The Chargers did add some players but we’ll get to that later. The difference for the Chargers in 2024, the absolute gamechanger, is the head coach. Jim Harbaugh was hired as the head coach.
Harbaugh, coming off a national championship season with Michigan, was looking for a return to the NFL and the Chargers were looking for a splash. It was a perfect fit.
Harbaugh has excelled at the highest level before. He turned Stanford around and took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. He got off to a slow start at Michigan but got the Wolverines on the right track and ultimately won the National Championship last season. After achieving the ultimate goal at his alma mater it was time to move on. And the Chargers welcomed him with open arms.
Harbaugh inherits a great quarterback in Herbert who will only get better under his tutelage. But Harbaugh also realized the Chargers need a balanced attack. It wasn’t by accident the Chargers drafted offensive tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame with their first-round pick.
Running back Austin Ekeler wasn’t brought back but Gus Edwards, 810 yards rushing last year for Baltimore, was acquired. The Chargers also signed J.K. Dobbins, who is coming off an injury last year, but now fully healthy, will bolster the running attack.
Tight end Will Dissly was signed but his forte is blocking. Harbaugh’s ground and pound in a balanced offense will be in full effect.
Herbert will not only have Palmer to throw to but Quentin Johnson is also returning and the Chargers added receiver JD Chark and drafted Ladd McConkey.
Defensively a healthy Mack, Bosa and James will anchor the D along with Samuel. Junior Colson will lead the linebacking crew. Who’s the kicker? Well Cameron “The Kicker” Dicker of course.
Can the Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs? Or are there even lofty expectations of a Super Bowl? At this point that may be too much of a dream. A trip to the playoffs, for now, I’m sure would suffice for the Bolt faithful.
However even if it is only a dream there is no better man then Jim Harbaugh to turn the dream into a reality.
Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter (X) @tspeterson40 or Facebook-Tim Peterson.
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