When Jim Harbaugh arrived in Los Angeles last offseason, his focus wasn’t just on the Chargers as a whole — it was laser-locked on their quarterback. Justin Herbert had already flashed brilliance in the NFL, but Harbaugh saw untapped greatness. Under his leadership, the Bolts surged to an 11-6 finish and secured a playoff berth. But for Harbaugh, that was just step one. His goal was — and still is — turning Herbert into a Hall of Famer.
In year one, Harbaugh stripped the Chargers down to their studs and rebuilt them around Herbert, but not in the way past coaches had. Gone was the pass-heavy spread. In came Greg Roman, a reinforced offensive line, a physical run game, and a methodical pace that bore a resemblance to Harbaugh’s 2012 49ers.
The result: an 11–6 finish, the franchise’s best record since 2009, and a quarterback who, even while battling a toe injury, posted the lowest interception rate of his career (0.6%). Now healthy, reloaded, and backed by a Harbaugh blueprint tailored for playoff football, the Chargers are drawing glances from their longtime tormentor in Kansas City.
Now on the Up and Adams Show, Chargers insider James Palmer made the bold claim: “I think the Chargers do have a little bit better of a chance of dethroning the Chiefs, and I think it’s mainly because of what they have at quarterback when you need guys that are elite, right? And Justin Herbert, arm talent-wise, ability to run with the foot…” That statement marks the moment many insiders felt the true challenge emerge.
James continued, “And, you know, it was interesting hardball this offseason going like my goal, and I say it to myself in the mirror, I think he said, like, is to get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame”. Also, Jim Harbaugh hasn’t hidden his ambitions — in a recent Rich Eisen Show appearance, he admitted, “I woke up the other day and said, ‘I got to get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame.’ Must get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame”. The coach’s commitment goes beyond rhetoric.
In 2024, Herbert attempted just 504 passes — about 80 fewer than the previous season — but maintained a strong 65.9% completion rate and threw only three interceptions, the fewest for any QB with 13 or more starts. Despite a toe injury early in the season that limited his mobility, Herbert steadied the ship and the Chargers went 7–2 from Week 8 to Week 16 before resting starters in Week 18.
The Chargers fortified their ground attack, signing Najee Harris in free agency and selecting Omarion Hampton in Round 1. They also retained Mike Williams and added second-round pick Tre Harris. “Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game? We don’t know, but I can imagine what it might look like,” Roman had earlier said, highlighting the critical role of the Chargers’ revamped ground attack with additions like Harris and rookie Hampton.
Harbaugh has reshaped the entire offense to reflect that ambition. And the NFL has taken notice, especially the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jim Harbaugh’s master plan: building a Mahomes-level threat
The Chiefs won’t have to wait long to see what Herbert’s cooking — they open the season against the Chargers. If there’s ever been a ‘prove-it’ game for this new-look L.A. offense, this is it. Mahomes vs. Herbert, out the gate. Rookie Omarion Hampton offers burst and versatility, giving defenses a guessing game on early downs. When the Bolts establish that ground threat, Herbert’s deep accuracy suddenly isn’t just highlight fodder — it becomes lethal. On the perimeter, veteran Mike Williams remains the go-to big-play threat.
His 43-yard catch in Week 14 last season reminded everyone why he commands double teams. Newcomer Tre Harris, meanwhile, has dazzled in minicamp, drawing praise from Greg Roman for his “sure hands and savvy route running,” which should keep Herbert’s eyes calm in the pocket. Last year’s 11-6 mark under Harbaugh showed flashes — a midseason surge followed by late-game lulls. The offense averaged 27.2 points per game but sputtered in must-win moments.
The Chiefs will kick off their 2025 campaign against the Chargers, setting the stage for a blockbuster Week 1 clash in the AFC West. Andy Reid’s Chiefs aren’t sleeping on the Chargers, not with Harbaugh at the wheel. To shore up protection and give Mahomes a clean launchpad, Kansas City signed veteran guard Tremayne Anchrum — a move aimed at countering interior pressure and plugging one-gap issues that surfaced late last season.
Mahomes knows the fight is coming. But sounded both confident and cautious at a recent Chiefs press conference: “I think the offense has the chance to be really, really good,” he told reporters on April 23, noting that “everything looks great right now getting the guys back and healthy”.The team’s trust in Mahomes remains unshaken, but they also know the division isn’t the cakewalk it once was.
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