Four ways Jim Harbaugh will fix the Los Angeles Chargers

New head coach Jim Harbaugh will quickly fix the Chargers in his first offseason at the helm. Here’s how.

Harbaugh inherits a Los Angeles roster with no shortage of top-end talent that missed the playoffs last year due to poor coaching. While the former Michigan coach’s strategic acumen should provide the Bolts a boost, it’s not all sunshine in LA.

The Chargers, despite their incredible talent, have a severe lack of available salary cap space as they sit at $44 million above the salary cap limit. It will be a tall task for Harbaugh and first-year general manager Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh to clean up the books while simultaneously adding talent to the roster.

The good news? The Chargers will have a top-five pick at the 2024 NFL Draft, plus an entire stockpile of selections from the second through seventh rounds.

An offseason plan for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers

Even though it may seem to be a tall task for Harbaugh and Horitz, there are four easy steps the pair can take to improve the Chargers and shed salary this offseason.

1. Cut or trade multiple high-salary players

Mike Williams, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa are all salary cap casualty candidates.

Cutting Mack would net the Chargers $23 million in cap space, while moving on from Williams would clear at least $20 million on top of that.

Trading Bosa, a productive but often injured pass rusher, would free up even more room for the new regime and potentially bring in some high-quality draft capital.

2. Use first-round pick on best player available

The Chargers’ defense is lacking in the cornerback department, while the defensive tackle group allows far too many running lanes to be successful.

However, the 2024 NFL Draft is top-heavy with offensive talent. The Chargers shouldn’t force the issue by “overdrafting” a lesser prospect.

Instead, Los Angeles can bring in an explosive piece to the offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) is likely out of reach, but Malik Nabers (LSU) and Rome Odunze (Washington) are worthy of top-five consideration.

Tight end Brock Bowers also fits the billing, as the Georgia star is a savvy route runner and a threat to churn out yardage after the catch.

3. Sign or trade for cornerback Jaylon Johnson

Trading away some bad contracts paves the way to bringing in a player worth a lucrative deal.

Corner Jaylon Johnson is the answer for the Chargers, sporting an elite pass coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in 2023. Johnson is an impending free agent, although the Bears have the franchise tag option available.

Whether it’s via free agency or a tag-and-trade, the potential addition of Johnson is precisely what the Bolts need to reshape the defense.

4. Replace running back Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler requested a trade last offseason, but the Chargers were able to smooth things over for the 2023 campaign.

Now, Ekeler will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. And a breakup between himself and L.A. is a foregone conclusion.

The versatile, offensive weapon is approaching age 30, and his efficiency numbers fell off a cliff last season. He averaged only 3.5 yards per carry and recorded his lowest reception total (51) since 2018.

The Chargers can find an instant replacement in the 2024 NFL Draft. Given their cap situation, spending a premium contract on a running back is increasingly unlikely.