The Chargers were bounced from the playoffs Saturday and now shift their focus toward the future.

Here are five takeaways from locker clean out on Sunday.

1. An abrupt ending

The unfortunate reality set in for the Chargers on Sunday morning.

Less than 24 hours after preparing for a playoff game, the Bolts were cleaning out there lockers and saying their goodbyes.

In a snap, the season is over.

"You don't get a good ending unless [you win] the Super Bowl. Everything is abrupt and it just ends. It's tough," Daiyan Henley said. "The worst thing about it is that wait ... it's going to be a long offseason because of the way it ended."

J.K. Dobbins added: "It's a shock to the system, for sure. I really thought we could have went all the way with this team because we were so talented, but the ball just didn't fall our way."

The Bolts saw their season end in Houston with a 32-12 loss to the Texans in the Wild Card Round.

The Chargers led early and were in multiple spots to put their foot down early but could never gain complete control of the game. Houston, meanwhile, hung around long enough to take a halftime lead and eventually seized all the momentum.

"The goal every year is to win the last game of the season in the postseason," Ladd McConkey said. "I feel like we're right there and we'll come back next year stronger than ever."

He later added: "We did a lot of good things but we didn't get the job done there at the end."

Morgan Fox said: "It sucks. You see the talent of this group and how hard we worked, and to go out like that and how abruptly it ended, it's never easy."

While there was plenty of disappointment in the locker room at The Bolt, there was also a sense of optimism, too.

A year ago at this time, the Chargers were coming off a five-win season and were in the market for a new head coach and general manager.

Now? It's clear the arrow is pointing up for the Bolts.

Derwin James, Jr. confirmed that sentiment by saying this is the most optimistic he's ever felt heading into an offseason.

"I feel it," James said. "It's real."

He later added: "We're headed in the right direction. Proud of the efforts that the coaches put in this year. The players, every man in this locker room wanted it every day. We know the team is not going to be the same, but we know that got something great building for sure."

Rashawn Slater said: "You line up this season and last season, it's night and day. it's a huge step forward. Not satisfied at all, but I like the progress. We're all bought into that, too."

2. Mack weighing career options

Khalil Mack just put a bow on Year 11 in what will be a Hall of Fame career.

He's not sure if there will be a Year 12, whether it's with the Chargers or someone else.

"It's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now," Mack said Sunday. "Can't really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I'm going to do, because I don't know if I'm going to play football going forward.

"Just some things I got to talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss," Mack added.

The last time the Chargers lost a playoff game — back in 2022 — Mack said an emotionally quick internal decision to retire. And while he obviously changed his mind and has played two seasons since, he said he's going to take more time with his decision this time around.

"I think I did that a couple of years ago, it ain't really go to well," Mack said. "Trying not to be emotional through this process and try to think a little more clearly. That's going to take time."

Mack, who will turn 34 years old in February, has 107.5 career sacks after notching 6.0 sacks this season. His sack total ranks fifth among active players who suited up in 2024.

He's also slated to be a free agent for the first time in his career this offseason and said Sunday that he won't be making any rash decisions.

"Nah man, I'm not giving myself no timeline," Mack said. "I don't even know what the timeline could be right now to be honest with you.

"This is my first time in this position. You just got to approach it with a prayer and patience," Mack added.

As the offseason approaches, Mack essentially has three options: return to the Bolts, choose another team in free agency or retire.

He made sure to reiterate how he feels about the powder blue.

"As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback and you got Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football and you got Jim Harbaugh coaching, you know you always have a chance to win," Mack said. "That's a no brainer in the sense of if you know football, then you know."

Mack also noted that given how driven he is, his career preference is to not have his final game be a playoff loss. Mack is now 0-5 in the postseason after Saturday's loss.

"It's also not just one specific thought. I also don't want to go out with an 'L' just based on who I am as a man and as a person, I'm a competitor. I'm an ultimate competitor," Mack said. "I also don't want to go out with an 'L'. Definitely want to make that push and play some important games in the playoffs.

"Trying not to think too far ahead, but also want to give myself some time and some grace period to kind of just vibe and spend some time with my family," Mack added. "Just think things through."

A pair of his teammates were also pushing for Mack to return but said they would respect the process and let him make a decision on his own timeline.

"I definitely told him I wanted him to come back. I just told him the same thing, I want him to come back," James said. "It's just a bad taste in our mouth. We feel like we didn't do what we needed to do, what we set out to do. I feel like we're heading in the right direction."

Tuli Tuipulotu added: "He's been my OG. He's paved the way, welcomed me into the league, showed me the way and how to go about certain things. I appreciate him."

3. Samuel talks 2024 season

Asante Samuel, Jr. spoke with media members Sunday for the first time since early in the 2024 season.

The Chargers cornerback went on Injured Reserve after the Chargers Week 5 bye with a shoulder injury and ended up missing the rest of the season.

Samuel on Sunday gave an updated on what the past few months have been like.

"I just been dealing with a shoulder ... kind of like stinger symptoms," Samuel said. "Just wanted to make sure for the long run I'd be good, make sure my health overall was good.

"I wish I could have been out there with the team, it was killing me not to be out there every day with those guys," Samuel added. "I had to make sure my health was good."

The 25-year-old Samuel said he didn't need surgery because of the injury and added that a practice before the Week 6 game in Denver was a pivotal point.

"It was a collision in practice that sparked it," Samuel said. "I practiced the next day, got some imaging and the doctors eyes just to take it easy and see if it could heal and get better."

Samuel also expressed plenty of disappointment and frustration that the injury ended up costing him the rest of the season.

"It was definitely tough," Samuel said. "Out of my 20 years of playing, I never missed a season like this, more than two or three games.

"It was definitely tough not being out there with my brothers, especially with the season we had and everything that was going on this year. It was hurtful not to be out there with the guys," Samuel added.

Samuel, a 2021 second-round pick, is slated to be a free agent this offseason. He said he expects to be at full health by the time offseason programs begin in April.

4. Players praise Harbaugh

Plenty of credit deserves to be shared for the Chargers doubling their previous year's in total and making the playoffs.

But players once again lavished praise on Harbaugh on Sunday for his part in the turnaround.

"It was a special year, just understanding what he's done in the short time he's been here," Mack said. "You see that the growth is inevitable. It's only a matter of time. You don't want to put pressure on the situation, but you also don't want to discredit the situation for what it is.

"It's impressive what he was able to do and what we were able to squeeze out of what we had," Mack said.

With the season over, players also noted how much of a breath of fresh air Harbaugh was when the Bolts needed him most.

"I love Coach Harbaugh," James said. "Nothing but positivity. Like I said, he's one of the best leaders I've been around just being a part of it and coming here, changing the culture, giving us a culture to stand on. Can't wait to keep going."

Dobbins added: "I love Coach Jim Harbaugh. He's been great, he's a blessing for sure. He's different, he's him. It's been an amazing year with him, being by his side, helping him win games and turning this thing around."

Harbaugh helped orchestrate another quick turnaround with the Bolts just as he's done throughput his coaching career.

Back in 2011, Harbaugh led the 49ers to 13 wins after they had just six victories the season before.

Harbaugh, of course, took over a 5-12 team and turned the Bolts into an 11-win squad and made the playoffs in his first season at the helm.

"I personally don't like to celebrate shortcomings," Henley said. "I don't like to say, 'Oh, we lost, but…." But in a situation like this, you have to see the bright spots. This is Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh. It's a new era."

5. Early look at free agents

The Chargers have 30 players who are slated to hit free agency once the New League Year begins March 12.

And with a majority of the Bolts 2024 free agent class added on 1-year deals, that means a number of impactful contributors could hit the market in a few months.

J.K. Dobbins is among those in that group. The running back had a comeback season in 2024 by posting 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in only 13 games.

Dobbins said Sunday that while he has a desire to return, he'll wait to see how it shakes out.

"I love it here. The 'Bolt Fam' has welcomed me with open arms," Dobbins said. "They love me even people counted me out.

"I would love to be here," Dobbins added. "Only God could say what happens in the future, but I would love to be here."

Defensive lineman Poona Ford, who was a key piece of the Bolts defensive turnaround, is also slated to hit free agency after joining the team on a 1-year deal.

The veteran was thankful for his time in the powder blue and echoed the sentiments of wanting to return, but added he'll wait and see.

"I would like that. I like it out here, it's great," Ford said. "I love the coaches, the coaching staff, everybody on the team. We'll see where the chips fall."

Fellow defensive lineman, Morgan Fox, is also up for free agency after three seasons with the Chargers.

Fox, a veteran in the league, didn't want to look too far ahead.

"I'm going to try not to think about it until it happens," Fox said. "Nothing really gets done until March so I'm going to put my head down and start training when it's time but also try and enjoy this little break.

"Just not really worry or stress out about any of that until I have to," Fox added.

There are a lot of decisions that will come once March rolls around, but the group showed their appreciation for the special season it was.

"We don't know who's going to be here," Henley said. "Just a blessing to have been able to play with the guys we have in here right now."