Although the Los Angeles Chargers have a proven winner and culture-builder in new head coach Jim Harbaugh, not too many are expecting them to be a very good team this coming season.
They have one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and what could be a very promising offensive line, but they also have definite roster holes, especially at wide receiver, defensive tackle and cornerback.
But former NFL head coach Herm Edwards said on ESPN’s “NFL Live” that if the Chargers find success early in the schedule, they could make the playoffs.
“If they can get going early, they have a chance to make the playoffs.” @HermEdwards has faith in Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers next season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/8fmnlhcr54
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 18, 2024
The AFC is loaded, and several teams in the conference have gotten better, at least on paper, since last season ended.
However, one thing Harbaugh is doing, as Edwards alluded to, is building a strong identity for Los Angeles as a team that will play smash-mouth football and control the line of scrimmage.
It is why they took offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 pick in April’s draft instead of a wide receiver such as Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
Herbert should have more time to lock and load this season without having to evade edge rushers or worry about a collapsing pocket, and that by itself could make L.A.’s young wideouts better.
The team hopes that Ladd McConkey, the No. 34 pick this year, will become a legitimate threat, and it also counts on getting more out of speedster wide receiver Quentin Johnston, their first-round pick last year.
