The first year of the Jim Harbaugh Era resulted in a six-win improvement — and it's why pundits are optimistic about the direction the Chargers are heading.
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso examined all six teams whose seasons came to a close over the weekend and ranked their long-term outlook. He examined each team's quarterback situation, financials and skill-position talent to organize the rankings.
Trapasso put the Bolts atop his rankings as Harbaugh's squad ranked first in two out of the three categories.
Trapasso's biggest reason for optimism? Justin Herbert and the strides he took in his first season under Harbaugh.
Trapasso wrote:
Let's not allow recency bias to cloud judgment on Justin Herbert, who for all intents and purposes, had his finest season in 2024 since his rookie year of 2020 under Jim Harbaugh's watchful eye… I still trust in Herbert's prodigious abilities as a thrower. It was also encouraging to see him utilize his athleticism as a runner more in 2024 than ever before — he set a career high with 69 rushing attempts during the regular season.
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Wild Card matchup with the Texans in monochrome!
The lone category the Chargers weren't first was young non-QB talent — but it's not to say they don't have some building blocks at important positions.
Trapasso wrote:
Ladd McConkey went over 1,000 yards as a rookie and looks like one of the budding separators at receiver. Harbaugh, Herbert and Co. resuscitated the early career of Quentin Johnston, who had nearly 20 more receptions and almost 300 more receiving yards from his rookie season while catching eight touchdowns. At tackle, the Chargers are set. Rashawn Slater is a steel wall on the left side, and on the right side, youngster Joe Alt has All-Pro upside with his length and athleticism. The Chargers could use more firepower offensively, and it'll likely be a priority this offseason, yet this organization has the most glaring upward-facing arrow of any of the teams that lost on wild-card weekend.
The Chargers will now be an interesting team to watch now that the offseason has arrived.
And ESPN analyst Ben Solak's big prediction for the offseason has the Bolts investing in the trenches once again.
Solak wrote:
The Chargers stayed true to the Harbaugh way by investing in the offensive line at the top of the 2024 draft, and they'll stay the course in 2025.
The Bolts hold the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
