The NFL offseason is synonymous with coaching changes, and in 2024, eight franchises welcomed new head coaches.
Among them, Jim Harbaugh’s hiring by the Los Angeles Chargers appears to stand out as a resounding success.
Now 7-3 and firmly in the playoff hunt, the Chargers are playing the best football of the Justin Herbert era under Harbaugh’s leadership.
Los Angeles’ victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football is a perfect example of how the culture has changed under Harbaugh.
In previous years, the Bolts would lose that game 100 times out of 100 … But not now with Big Jim in charge.
Speaking of his soaring star, there are reports that some teams around the league are regretting their decisions to pass on Harbaugh during the last coaching cycle.
Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jordan Schultz recently shed light on the interesting, yet predictable development…
“Text from an NFC GM: The amount of regret some teams have for not hiring Jim Harbaugh when they had the chance… It’s very real,” Schultz revealed.
As for which team(s) might be regretting their decision, here is a look at the clubs who made coaching hires last winter…
-Las Vegas Raiders (Antonio Pierce)
-Carolina Panthers (Dave Canales)
-Seattle Seahawks (Mike Macdonald)
-Tennessee Titans (Brian Callahan)
-Atlanta Falcons (Raheem Morris)
-New England Patriots (Jared Mayo)
-Washington Commanders (Dan Quinn)
While it’s still early days, only a few of these teams appear content with their choices.
The Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks are arguably the only franchises that may not be second-guessing their decisions.
The Commanders have shown signs of improvement under Dan Quinn, while the Seahawks, under Mike Macdonald, are competitive in the NFC West.
However, the picture is not as pretty for others.
The Falcons have continued to underperform despite a talented roster. Meanwhile, the Panthers, Titans, and Patriots are mired in various stages of mediocrity or outright struggles.
While it’s unlikely Harbaugh would have considered every available job, some teams – like the Raiders and Falcons – might have been attractive landing spots.
Reports even suggest Harbaugh engaged in discussions with the Raiders before ultimately signing with the Chargers.
As the 2024 season continues unfolds, several teams are already primed to make head coaching changes in the upcoming offseason.
The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets are virtual certainties, while the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys are likely to be searching as well. (You can possibly throw in the Las Vegas Raiders and maybe the New York Giants too.)
The bottom line is Harbaugh seems more than happy with where he ended up.
Star quarterback Justin Herbert was a major reason why he chose the Chargers. The entire team is clicking and they promise to be a very tough-out down the stretch of the season.
Would it really shock anyone if Harbaugh and the Bolts win a Super Bowl within the next four years?
Addressing the elephant in the room: What team do you think regrets passing on Harbaugh the most???
