Since moving to Los Angeles, the Chargers have alternated winning and losing seasons, until now. How can they build on stability under Jim Harbaugh and take the next step?
Since moving to Los Angeles from San Diego, the Chargers have struggled to put together consecutive winning seasons. Their back-to-back 11-6 seasons under Jim Harbaugh are already a positive step in the right direction.
So is the fact that they played postseason ball two years in a row. Since making Los Angeles their home, the Chargers have gone 79-70. They've posted two 5-win seasons in 2019 and 2023, both following playoff appearances. 2018 was their last playoff win, whereas 2022 was when they had a postseason collapse against the Jaguars. In 2017 and 2021, they finished above .500 with 9 wins but missed the playoffs each time. Their worst two-season stretch was 2019 and 2020, where they won 5 and then 7 games. In the Justin Herbert era, they've been much better at righting the ship quickly. Unfortunately, postseason success hasn't come, and that's why heads have rolled and changes have been made.
Since they have broken the pattern of a successful regular season followed by a disappointing one, something that ailed them in the past, they can continue building momentum towards a deep playoff run. With their coordinators in place, a head coach with great credentials, and a roster with talent on both sides of the ball, things are finally looking up for the Chargers.
In all those years, they do not have a single division title. Something that might change with Patrick Mahomes hobbled to start next season. The Chargers finished with 5 division wins this season and look to make an even bigger splash next season, though the Broncos are a worthy opponent.
Even the Raiders may make a resurgence with the newly hired Klint Kubiak. Other than the Broncos, though, none of those rosters have the continuity and consistency across the lineup, and especially at the quarterback spot with Mahomes being out.
There's plenty of opportunity for the Chargers to become the most successful team in Los Angeles, if not the most popular. Herbert is entering his prime with Stafford contemplating his future. Herbert has a chance to be the face of Los Angeles football.
While Harbaugh hasn't had the start he had in San Francisco, where he led the team to 3 straight conference championship games and one Super Bowl, he's showing a similar consistency if only on a smaller scale. He got his offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, and that should help his offense take enormous strides just like the Dolphins did under his leadership.