The Chargers will be working to improve on their 2024 record of 11-6 as they enter their second year with Jim Harbaugh. (Or fifth, if you want to count the time when he coached them in San Diego.)
That record was good enough to earn them a Wild Card spot in the playoffs, but they were bested by the Texans 32-12 and failed to move on. Improving on that performance is obviously at the forefront of the Bolts faithful as pre-season progresses.
They’re off to a mixed start there, with a decisive 27-13 victory over the Saints, and a last-second 23-22 loss to local rivals the Rams. (Can you call it cross-town when they share a stadium?)
One of the keys to their success will be QB Justin Hebert, now entering his sixth season in blue and yellow. Although Hebert put up a succession of impressive numbers in ‘24, like 10 straight games with a 90+ passer rating, he’s struggled in the fourth quarter of close contests. With a record of 6-13 in games decided by 3 points, that’s certainly an area where the Chargers will be looking to improve.
They’ll get to test that early on, as their tough schedule has them squaring off against three-time defending AFC champs Kansas City in Week 1 (in Brazil no less), followed closely by the Broncos and Dolphins. Overall, they’re facing the 11th-hardest schedule in the league, a marked change from 2024 when they had one of the easiest slates.
Hebert will have plenty of new offensive help. Draftees Omarion Hampton (RB) and Tre Harris (WR) will be joined by new acquisitions Najee Harris (RB), Tyler Conklin (TE), and Mike Williams (WR). L.A. is particularly looking to these new RBs to ignite their running game, which has historically ranked near the bottom of the league in multiple categories.
Getting that ground attack going will be made harder by the loss of veteran left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was ruled out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon during practice at the start of August.
The Chargers keep the Cali-rivalry games going this weekend, traveling north to face the San Francisco 49ers Saturday at 5:30 in Levi’s Stadium.
Credit: Jim Sabo
