2024 offseason primer: Chargers boldly going all-in on Jim Harbaugh

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/9/24

Short of making an improbable deep playoff run, many expected Brandon Staley not to see a fourth year as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers (5-12 in 2023).

Staley made it 14 games into his third season before he was canned, paving the way for team owner Dean Spanos to aggressively pursue Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh as his successor.

And it wasn’t just that Harbaugh was hired weeks after leading the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997, he used his leverage of going back to Michigan where he was offered a 10-year, $125M contract to get full control of and final say over L.A.’s 53-man roster.

Though Harbaugh got everything he asked for, if he doesn’t turn the franchise around, he’ll be shown the door just like Staley was. And he has his work cut out for him. The Chargers ranked 21st in scoring offense, 25th in rushing offense, 28th in total defense and 24th in scoring defense. They also allowed the fifth-highest passer rating against, had the fifth-most fumbles lost and had the seventh-fewest interceptions.

Harbaugh has put together a strong staff so far, bringing in Greg Roman, who was his offensive coordinator in San Francisco, to fill the same role in L.A. He also brought Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter with him to be the Chargers DC, and he brought in former 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who played for Harbaugh years ago, to be the team's linebackers coach.

Here’s what else you need to know about L.A.’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE: -$44.02M (fourth worst in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: QB Easton Stick; RBs Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelly; WRs Jalen Guyton, Alex Erickson, Keelan Doss, Darius Shepherd; TEs Gerald Everett, Nick Vannett; OT Foster Sarell; OG Zack Bailey; Centers Will Clapp, Cameron Tom

Defense: DTs Austin Johnson, Nick Williams; LBs Kenneth Murray, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Tanner Muse; CBs Michael Davis, Essang Bassey; Safeties Alohi Gilman, Jaylinn Hawkins, A.J. Finley, Raheem Layne

Special teams: Kicker Cameron Dicker

Outlook: Given the back-and-forth during the season regarding a new contract (Ekeler’s insistence on one and L.A.'s refusal to give one) it’s hard to see the 28-year-old RB re-signing. Everett should be a priority given the Chargers’ lack of tight end depth behind Donald Parham, but he could want to test the market. Clapp played 699 offensive snaps and was the team’s primary center, so I’d expect him to be retained.

Defensively, Murray was the Chargers’ third-leading tackler (107) and the heart of the defense. At 25 with multiple 100-tackle seasons under his belt, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be brought back if L.A. can afford it. Dicker made 93.9% of his field goals, and he’s only 23, so he should be back on a relatively cheap deal.

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): CB, OL, Edge-rusher, RB, TE — There’s no question L.A.’s top need is in the secondary, but the fifth overall pick is a bit too early to take any of the top-rated cornerbacks in the draft. That said, don’t be surprised if the Chargers are tempted by either Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or LSU receiver Malik Nabers — both should still be on the board at No. 5, and both may be too enticing for Harbaugh to pass up.

L.A. could also look to upgrade at right tackle with Joe Alt, Ola Fashanu and Taliese Fuaga all available as well. The team will likely address needs at edge-rusher and running back in Rounds 2 and 3. Don’t sleep on RB Blake Corum, who rushed for 3,737 yards and 58 touchdowns for Harbaugh at Michigan.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame; Ola Fashanu, OT, Penn State, Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State; Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama; Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State; Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington; Blake Corum, RB, Michigan; Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

How do the Chargers navigate their salary cap purgatory?
Is Harbaugh the guy to finally get QB Justin Herbert deep into the playoffs?
How many drastic changes are made to fix a defense that ranked 28th in 2023?

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