Teair Tart has emotional response to Chargers' recent playoff woes

Despite having the exciting combination of star quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers have not notched a postseason win since January 2019. 

According to defensive tackle Teair Tart, the lack of playoff success has Chargers players fired up amid springtime workouts. 

Chargers are "starving" to celebrate playoff success

"I think we're [bleeping] starving," Tart said on Monday about his desire to be part of a postseason victory, per Eric Smith of the Chargers' website. 

The Chargers signed Herbert to a five-year, $262.5M contract extension in the summer of 2023. While he has produced impressive regular-season numbers as a pro, he fell to 0-3 as a postseason starter after the Chargers suffered a 16-3 wild-card playoff loss at the New England Patriots this past January. 

As for Tart, he inked a three-year, $30M deal with $20M guaranteed earlier this offseason. He insisted on Monday that the extension serves as further motivation regarding what he wants to accomplish with his current teammates. 

"It actually builds on it. Same me," Tart explained. "I always got something to prove. I know I play with a chip on my shoulder, always got something to prove, always want to find ways to get better each and every season. I got a new contract, but it don't change the goals, it don't change the ambition I got for myself and this team."

Why Teair Tart was hyped to commit his future to the Chargers

Tart began his pro career as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and he played in no playoff games before he joined the Chargers in 2024. He previously spent time with the Tennessee Titans, the Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins. 

The 29-year-old is now happy to call Los Angeles home. 

"I think it was great," Tart said about getting a deal done with the Chargers. "I love being here. The staff knows that, everybody in the building knows that. I'm extremely appreciative. I feel like over the years, it's been a long journey, I've been busting my a-- day-in and day-out. Always trying to prove my worth to the staff, to my teammates, trying to prove myself each and every day. It's much appreciated, and honestly, I thank God. I feel blessed."

Tart also vowed that he is "definitely going to give my one or two cents I learned throughout the years playing with different people" as it pertains to serving as a leader for the Chargers. Perhaps those efforts will help Los Angeles end what's become a lengthy playoff drought in January 2027.