Chargers Take Big Step Toward Hiring Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach

The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be on the cusp of naming their next head coach as they hope to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing 2023 season.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday that the Chargers and University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh are in striking distance of getting a deal done as he’s in LA today for another meeting with the organization.

Garafolo adds they are at the point where they will discuss staffing regarding the general manager and coaching staff, which is a major step forward in negotiations. The Chargers have already made a lucrative offer to Harbaugh, according to Garafolo.

It’s not shocking to see the two sides are working towards a deal. Harbaugh is the only head coach to meet with Los Angeles twice for their head coach vacancy thus far. Throughout the early parts of the Chargers’ offseason, it was clear Harbaugh was one of their top candidates to replace Brandon Staley. 

Staley had a three-year run with the team that ended last month as the Chargers got dismantled 63-21 by the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15.

If Harbaugh and the Chargers cross the finish line, his job will be to get this Los Angeles team back into the playoffs and help make Justin Herbert one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

The good news for Chargers’ fans is Harbaugh has had previous NFL success with the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh had a 44-19-1 record and went to the playoffs three times with the 49ers, plus a Super Bowl appearance in 2012.

Fans shouldn’t expect Harbaugh, who is coming off a national title at Michigan this season, to make the Chargers’ immediate Super Bowl contenders, as the roster is in flux. But there should be some optimism among the Charger faithful that he can lead them back to winning football and avoid the narrow losses the Chargers have become synonymous with in recent years.

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