Harbaugh benching starters for playoffs signals strategic evolution. This calculated risk reveals a matured, war-winning approach, a stark contrast to his past.
I remember, before this season began, hearing a bunch of talk about Jim Harbaugh softening up. I believe there was a "Grandpa Harbaugh" meme floating around that had something to do with it.
Whether it was acclimating to the times or the softening of age, it does seem like Jim Harbuagh has been a little more focused on context outside of "What will help me win this game?"
The best case-in-point is happening right now, with the Los Angeles Chargers head coach deciding to rest (it sounds like) the bulk of his starters against the Denver Broncos in Week 18 because losing sets up for a more favorable path through the NFL Playoffs.
Earlier this week, I told a friend that I thought the bulk of the starters should sit out the Week 18 game but then we both agreed that Harbaugh would never do it. "That man has never met a game he wasn't obsessive about winning," we said. Less than 48 hours after that, the announcement came that Justin Herbert and other important starters will rest instead of play against the Broncos.
Please don't take this as criticism, as it is just the opposite. In making this decision, Jim Harbaugh has lost the battle in the effort to win the war, which shows a level of maturity and strategy that I'm not sure he had in his previous tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, despite being a very good coach.
I already thought that Jim Harbaugh might be one of the most talented head coaches in the Chargers franchise history, with a chance to go down as the best and most accomplished head coaches in franchise history, but I am not sure I factored in any growth that occurred during his time at Michigan or growth that could still be happening in his 60s.
Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots that are likely to take on the Chargers in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, is a heavy favorite to win the NFL's Coach of the Year Award after turning that franchise around seemingly overnight.
I actually don't take any issue with the six coaches that have odds on whether or not they'll win the award this season, but I do think Harbaugh is being slightly overlooked by not being one of them.
Sure, this year's team has roughly the same record as last year's team, but they've also overcome so much to maintain their status as a championship contender. It's hard to not credit the coaching, which continues to get better, with being the stabilizing force behind that success.