Harbaugh interviewing with The Chargers

[Titus Pullo]

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Chargers coaching rumors: L.A. set to interview Jim Harbaugh next week amid mounting interest​

Story by Jordan Dajani • 13h




There are now seven NFL teams looking for new head coaches following the New England Patriots' promotion of Jerod Mayo, and the man who may be the most intriguing candidate on the market could be ready to interview.

According to NFL Media, it's believed the Los Angeles Chargers will speak with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh next week. The younger brother of Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh just led the Wolverines to a national championship on Monday, and reportedly has indicated there's a real possibility he could leave the college ranks to take over in L.A.
NFL Media previously reported that multiple teams were making calls and gathering information on Harbaugh, but Michigan would like to keep its leader. Last month, it was reported that Harbaugh was offered a 10-year, $125 million deal that included the caveat he could not entertain or accept an NFL job this offseason. He has options.

Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014 for the San Francisco 49ers. He went a remarkable 44-19-1 in four seasons, and took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second season back in 2012. It's been reported that those around the league believe the Chargers are Harbaugh's preferred landing spot if he does opt for a change of scenery. He is also reportedly open to different power structures, and will not force a general manager hire. NFL Media reported that the Las Vegas Raiders are considering pursuing Harbaugh, but All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby will reportedly request a trade if interim head coach Antonio Pierce is not granted the full-time job.

 

[CPHawk]

All the stuff he said about Herbert last month, made it obvious that is a job he is interested in.

 

[RiverDog]

They can have him.

 

[WarHawks]

Not surprising.

 

[jammerhawk]

For what it's worth who wouldn't want the LAC job?

They do need to fix that D and strengthen their OLine.

 

[MyrtleHawk]

He's now scheduled for a second interview for Atlanta...this is getting interesting

 

[RiverDog]

For what it's worth who wouldn't want the LAC job?

They do need to fix that D and strengthen their OLine.

The Chargers job might not be all that attractive:

One of the primary concerns for anyone willing to take the job with the Chargers revolves around their salary cap situation.

Per the latest projections by Over The Cap, LA heads into the upcoming season with limited financial flexibility. According to reports, they head into 2024 $40 million over the projected $240.5 million salary cap for next season. After just giving Herbert a five-year, $262.5 million contract, this lack of room for maneuvering poses a significant challenge when it comes to acquiring new talent and retaining key players.

Whoever the GM is, they will have to make approximately $41 million in cuts, restructures, or extensions by the start of the league’s new year on March 13. This almost certainly means the Chargers will have to part ways with some of their most talented, albeit aging, veteran players. The new coach will have to skillfully navigate these financial constraints while striving to build a competitive roster.

While the Chargers’ average roster age is just 26, the team is aged at key skill positions where the financial constraints could limit their ability to retain some of those players, meaning a reliance on younger, more inexperienced players in key roles.

Top wide receivers Keenan Allen ($14M), Mike Williams ($20M), and linebacker Khalil Mack ($14M) are on the chopping block to bring the Chargers under the cap Pre-June 1. While Williams is oft-injured and probably a cut casualty anyway, Allen and Mack are two key veterans on the Chargers’ roster.

Replacing them through the draft or in the free-agent market won’t be easy for a new coach. Add in likely cuts Joey Bosa ($14M) and Sebastian Joseph-Day ($7M) and that will get the Chargers where they need to be under the cap. But at what price?

MSN

The article goes on to note that the Chargers are poorly run franchise owned by a notoriously tight wadded Spanos family that could hurt their ability to attract high profile free agents.

And, I'll add that despite being in the nation's 2nd largest TV market, the LA fans have never adapted them as their own. Chargers home games are routinely filled with 40-50% of fans of the visiting team.

I go to Las Vegas once a season in the fall, and on Sundays when everyone wears their colors, despite being closer to Vegas than any other team besides the Raiders, the least seen team jerseys is the Chargers. They have a wimpy fan base.