EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers showed clear signs of progress during his inaugural season, even though Saturday’s defeat against Houston in the AFC wild-card round highlighted the work still needed to be done.

Under Harbaugh’s leadership, the Chargers achieved an 11-win regular season, improving by six wins compared to 2023. During his first press conference as coach on February 1, 2024, he articulated his vision for the team, and he has largely delivered on those promises.

“He came in and wanted to establish a brand and an identity, and he did that,” remarked center Bradley Bozeman. “Every single step of the way. He was never a hypocrite in one single stance. The guy just continued to be exactly who he was every single day. What he preached is what he practiced.”

Harbaugh was instrumental in instilling a confident and physical mentality, while general manager Joe Hortiz took proactive measures throughout the season to enhance the team’s roster. The Chargers benefited from one of the softer schedules in the league after finishing last in the AFC West the previous season, managing to win 8 out of 9 games against teams with losing records but only going 3-5 against those with winning records.

“It’s my favorite ball team I’ve ever been on. One thing I can promise you is the sun will come up tomorrow, and we’ll be attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,” Harbaugh shared following the Chargers’ 32-12 loss to Houston.

Quarterback Justin Herbert faced challenges during the game, throwing four interceptions and completing just 14 of 32 passes for 242 yards, including one touchdown. His passer rating of 40.9 and a 43.2% completion rate represented career lows for him across his 81 starts, playoffs included. With a playoff record now at 0-2, the pressure he faces heading into the next season is significant.

“Definitely on the right track. It didn’t show (Saturday), and it’s the horrible thing about football. No one feels worse than I do, and we have complete trust in coach Harbaugh, and he’s going to get the team right,” Herbert remarked.

On the defensive side, while Herbert and the offensive unit dealt with the growing pains that come with a new offensive coordinator in Greg Roman, the defense thrived under the guidance of Jesse Minter. His unit led the league in scoring defense, allowing only an average of 17.7 points per game. Moreover, the Chargers ranked as the top red-zone defense in the league, conceding only 18 touchdowns over 40 possessions while tying for sixth in sacks.

Safety Derwin James achieved a career-high with 5.5 sacks and showcased versatility in his positioning throughout the defense, unlike the weight of responsibilities he felt under previous coach Brandon Staley. NFL Next Gen Stats revealed that James was one of just two players to line up at least 10% of the time as a slot corner, safety, and linebacker this season.

“We know that we have something great building. I know next year we’ll be back even stronger, having a full year under our belts,” James stated confidently.

Herbert benefited from a supporting cast that, despite featuring six new starters and a relatively green receiving group, enabled him to throw just three interceptions during the regular season. The team recorded only eight turnovers, marking one of the lowest totals in league history.

Rookie Ladd McConkey stood out by setting franchise records for a rookie with 82 receptions and 1,149 receiving yards, even setting a playoff record for rookies with 197 yards against the Texans. Quentin Johnston, who led the Chargers with eight touchdown receptions, faced difficulties with dropped passes while Josh Palmer, expected to take on a major leadership role in the receiving group, finished with only 39 catches before entering free agency this offseason.

“I feel like we made progress from last year. At the same time, there’s a lot more we need to work towards,” Johnston commented.

The Chargers adjusted their offensive strategy, executing designed run plays on 42.7% of their snaps, the highest rate since 2013. Anticipation for Gus Edwards as the leading running back was high, but J.K. Dobbins quickly claimed that role. Dobbins finished the season with a career-high 905 rushing yards, tying his best with nine touchdowns after missing four games due to a knee injury. Despite this setback, he managed to appear in 13 games, his highest since his rookie season in 2020.

Among the promising roster additions, rookie McConkey was a standout performer from general manager Hortiz’s draft class. Offensive tackle Joe Alt, selected with the fifth overall pick, started 16 games and recorded a 6.9% pressure rate, the eighth lowest for linemen with a noted amount of pass-blocking snaps. Defensive backs Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, both taken in the fifth round, gained significant playing time. Still started 12 games and led the unit with four interceptions, while Hart made six starts.

Looking ahead, Minter may be in line for head coaching interviews, while Roman’s return as offensive coordinator is anticipated as it would be significant for Herbert, allowing him to have consistency for just the second time in five years. Meanwhile, linebacker Khalil Mack enters free agency and is weighing retirement, while Joey Bosa finds himself facing the final year of his contract amid recurring injuries.

The Chargers will be seeking to enhance their roster at receiver, tight end, and within the interior offensive line as they prepare for the next season.