Just five minutes into an eventual Week 6 win in Denver, the Chargers faced their first crucial game management situation against the Broncos.
The Bolts had picked up eight yards on third-and-goal from the 10-yard line, bring up fourth-and-goal from the 2 in a scoreless contest.
Wanting to capitalize off an early defensive turnover, Jesse Minter made the call to kick a field goal and take the points.
Wait, Jesse Minter?
Yes, with Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh getting checked out in the locker room for an arrythmia (irregular heartbeat), it was the Chargers Defensive Coordinator who was in charge on an interim basis with the red challenge flag in his pocket.
His first (and maybe only) major decision? Kick the field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 2.
"It was third-and 10 in the red zone and I was like, 'Alright, we're probably going to end up kicking a field goal here.' Then we got eight and a half yards," Minter said Friday.
"It was like, 'Just kick the field goal.' Certainly was not hoping to use the challenge flag or have to make any crazy hard decisions," Minter continued. "It worked out well and wanted to certainly get points off the interception."
He later added: "I didn't want to overthink it. Got the interception, wanted to get points off it, didn't want to let them have any momentum back. It was about a yard and a half to two. Inside the one would've been maybe a little dicier thought there."
Sunday's win in Denver will be remembered for a lot of reasons.
Besides it being the Bolts first road victory in Denver since 2018, the Bolts had to rely on depth in all facets to help the team get to 3-2 after a bye.
But the storyline surrounding Harbaugh certainly stands out as the Chargers Head Coach revealed postgame that he has dealt with arrythmia in recent decades, including having a pair of prior episodes — once as a player and another as the 49ers Head Coach.
Harbaugh, as we know now, is fine. He was in good hands during the game and eventually returned to the sideline to help lead the Bolts to a win.
He met with a cardiologist on both Monday and Wednesday and said while he has to wear a heart monitor for the next two weeks, it's full steam ahead.
"He said stress test was really good, too," Harbaugh said Wednesday about his doctor's report. "I think he used the word 'incredible', I think he did.
"That my stamina was incredible and heart got stronger as it was more stressed. Back in rhythm, hopefully that sticks," Harbaugh added. "Got the monitor on. Good news, I took that as a compliment. Blue twisted steel. Feel good about that."
Harbaugh, as only he can, made light of the situation in the days after the episode.
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But for Minter and Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman, the news that Harbaugh had to leave the sideline was initially troubling.
"Just to speak candidly, I was very worried about him," said Roman, who was up in the coaches booth. "However, there was an incident I was with him in 2012 where he ended up just fine, so I had that belief and faith he was going to be OK. Very concerned nonetheless."
While Roman was trying to compartmentalize calling plays (the Bolts had the ball when Harbaugh went to the locker room), he also had his longtime friends' health on the forefront of his mind.
"Everything was happening pretty quick. I kind of got wind of it. The show must go on," Roman said.
He later added: "Things were moving fast. After the series, we were able to kind of figure out what was going on a little bit more. Thankfully, he's in great shape."
Roman quipped Friday that, during the moment, he thought about how Harbaugh would want him to react in a situation like that.
"It was also a thing of, 'What would Jim want me to do here?' You know, call some good plays," Roman said with a smile. "Let's go. I think that was definitely the thought process."
Minter, meanwhile, had the challenge flag and was flipping back and forth on the headset between the offensive and defensive channels.
He also had been given a heads up from Harbaugh pregame that he was feeling off to due the irregular heartbeat.
"He told me right before we went out on the field that, 'Hey, if something happens where I'm not there for whatever amount of time, do the deal. Be you and do what you need to do,'" Minter said.
He later added: "I didn't tell anybody else, then at one time I clicked over to the defensive staff like, 'Hey, I'm going to be on the other side of the ball here for a couple minutes, you guys make the adjustments, do the deal. Coach will be back, he'll be fine.' Really trying not to set off any panic among the coaches and the players, not really make a big deal about it and certainly was happy to see him walk back out there."
And, while this was all going on, Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz came down to check on Harbaugh and get in touch with Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh to make sure he knew about his brother's status.
Hortiz, who spent 26 years in Baltimore before joining the Bolts this offseason, also connected with Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta.
After the win, multiple players including Justin Herbert, Khalil Mack, Morgan Fox and Derwin James, Jr. said they had no idea Harbaugh had even left the game for a bit to get checked out.
But the situation provided a unique scenario for Minter, who got a behind-the-scenes listen at how Roman and his staff operate on game day.
"I thought the offense did a fantastic job," Minter said. "Being able to kind of hear them for a series was really cool, not something I get to do during a game.
"G-Ro [Roman] does such a great job and their whole staff," Minter added. "That was really a cool plus of it, to hear how they operate, knowing how we operate."
The Chargers offense rolled past the Broncos in the first half Sunday, putting up 20 points and running a whopping 45 plays, 20 of which came on one drive.
The Bolts also held the ball for 21 minutes and 13 seconds and put up 246 net yards on offense.
Harbaugh returned to the sideline before the midway point of the first quarter and assumed his regular duties.
By then, Minter's defense was buzzing and Roman's offense was cruising to help lead the Chargers to a special win in Denver.
And while the situation surrounding Harbaugh was certainly frightening in the moment, Roman was glad he was able to laugh about it on Friday.
"Just another Sunday afternoon in the NFL," Roman said.
