The Chargers’ new leadership made bold decisions when they took over the team last February.
Coach Jim Harbaugh, who had just won a national championship with Michigan, promised the Chargers would win “multiple championships.” General manager Joe Hortiz supported that, telling reporters he planned to add more rings to his collection after spending 20 years working in the Baltimore Ravens personnel department.
Even though the Chargers had only won five games the previous season, Harbaugh and Hortiz believed that players like quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James Jr., and outside linebacker Khalil Mack could help turn the team around quickly in Los Angeles.
They were correct. In their first year, the Chargers added six more wins, finishing 11-6, which was their best record since 2018. However, their season ended badly with a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs. Herbert, who had been the best decision-maker in the NFL during the regular season, had his worst game of the year, throwing four interceptions.
Still, Hortiz and Harbaugh are optimistic as they head into the 2025 season. “We didn’t achieve ultimate success that’s reserved for the world champion. There’s an after-game, after-loss mood that I feel, but so much good, so much good to build on,” Harbaugh said. “That creates a lot of excitement for me and Joe as we build version 2.0.”
The process of building the new Chargers team looks simpler than last year. When Harbaugh and Hortiz took over, the team was $50 million over the salary cap. In their first weeks, they decided to trade wide receiver Keenan Allen, release Mike Williams, and reduce contracts with edge rushers Joey Bosa and Mack.
Despite the cap issues, Hortiz signed several impactful players to one-year deals, such as safety Elijah Molden, center Bradley Bozeman, and defensive tackles Poona Ford and Teair Tart. These moves helped the Chargers reach the playoffs in their first year.
Hortiz has said that the team will try to re-sign those players but will also take advantage of compensatory picks if those players leave. Compensatory picks are given when a team loses more or better players in free agency than it acquires, with the formula based on salary, playing time, and postseason honors.
“I think the goal is to gain comp picks every year,” Hortiz said. “That is the goal, but the reality of it’s some years you may not be able to do that.”
So far, Hortiz has used his draft picks very well. Rookie tackle Joe Alt, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, linebacker Junior Colson, and cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have all played important roles in 2024. McConkey had the best rookie season by a wide receiver in Chargers history.
Jim Harbaugh got the Chargers back to the playoffs, but there’s still work to do to improve the team.
This offseason, Hortiz will have more salary cap space. The Chargers are expected to have the second-largest cap space in the NFL ($91,020,030), which gives Hortiz the chance to go after top players and keep some of their current players.
“I think you look at it from a responsible way like we did last year,” Hortiz said. “Yes, we had less money to spend, but we’re responsible for our spending. I think you always stay responsible with your spending on the salary cap.
“There’s a lot of things to balance, and in the end, if you get reckless, you pay the piper eventually. And so we’re going to be responsible, we’re going to be clinical in our approach, and there’s going to be a plan to it, and that’s how we’re going to roll.”
Among the top priorities for the Chargers is an extension for left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Hortiz said the Chargers want Slater back.
Beyond Slater, the Chargers have 27 unrestricted free agents, including Mack and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Mack told reporters that he is considering retirement. Still, Harbaugh said he is working hard to bring Mack back for next season and wants to keep almost everyone from this year’s team.
“I don’t know if it’s possible to get everybody back [but] I want to come as darn close as possible to have darn near all of our players come back,” Harbaugh said.
