Jim Harbaugh stepped to the podium shortly after the season came to a close in Houston.
Despite how difficult it was to reflect on the entire season right after the final whistle, the Chargers Head Coach made sure to point out something specific about this team in particular.
The 2024 Chargers were special to him. In fact, they stood alone.
"Favorite ball team I've ever been on," Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh's first season back in the NFL and in Los Angeles didn't end the way many wanted it to, but it's hard to ignore the turnaround the team went through in one year.
The Bolts improved from five to 11 wins, finding major contributions from all areas and coming together through the highs and lows of the regular season.
Among the number of teams he's been around throughout his decades of being in football, it was this unit that stuck out to the Chargers Head Coach.
"I wouldn't trade this team for nothing, one of the best teams I've been on," Harbaugh said. "Hats off to all the coaches and players all year long."
Harbaugh later added: "Favorite football team."
It was a sentiment that was echoed in the Bolts locker room on Sunday as players packed up and cleaned out their lockers.
Those who have been around the team for multiple years such as Derwin James, Jr. and Khalil Mack shared similar feelings about the season.
"It was a lot of fun, honestly. One of the best teams I've ever been on," James said. "Just showing up every day with these men. It was a lot of fun.
"It didn't end the way we wanted to end of course, but made a lot of great memories, a lot of new brothers that I have for the rest of my life beyond football," James added. "That's all I can ask for."
Mack added: "It was a special year, just understanding what [Harbaugh has] done in the short time he's been here, the potential of the guys that are in the building. You see that the growth is inevitable. It's only a matter of time."
Even those who had now been around the Bolts for less time than veterans the likes of James and Mack felt the same way.
Rookies and late offseason additions alike shared the common feeling.
"This is the most fun year playing football since my freshman year of high school when my older brother was on varsity," safety Elijah Molden said.
Rookie Joe Alt added: "I never thought I'd be so close with a group of guys. Coming in as a rookie, I'm so close with all the guys and I think that's what the foundation is. The sky is the limit."
At the same time, the togetherness of the group is what linebacker Daiyan Henley said makes the feelings of it all ending stronger.
"I'd gladly say that right behind him," linebacker Daiyan Henley said. "It was my favorite team, too.
"And that's where the pain is," Henley added. "I would love for everyone to come back in this locker room next year because I know we can make that runway better than we did this year."
The resounding feeling in the locker room was one of disappointment because of the suddenness in which it the season ended.
Yet, it also gives them a lot of optimism heading into 2025.
"Being able to play it with these guys and these coaches, it's been amazing," Mack said. "This is something hopefully everybody can look at and learn from and use it to fuel the future of the Los Angeles Chargers."
Harbaugh added: "One thing I can promise you is the sun will come up tomorrow, and we'll be attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."
