The Chargers closed out their season with their annual end-of-year press conference, as head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz addressed the media on a wide range of organizational and football-related topics.
This press conference felt very different than last year’s, as the Chargers have already fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin. There is also the possibility that defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could leave for a head coaching job.
Here are some key quotes from the press conference and my reactions.
As previously mentioned, the Chargers fired Roman and Devlin after both units underperformed this season.
“It’s results-oriented,” Harbaugh said. “And as an organization, we’re doing everything with one goal in mind: that’s to win a championship.”
My take: It couldn’t have been easy for Harbaugh to fire his offensive coordinator, and a close friend, but it had to be done. Quarterback Justin Herbert was hit over 140 times this season and played under constant pressure. To be fair, the team lost Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt to injury, but great offensive minds are able to mask issues at times, and that simply didn’t happen this season.
The Chargers need a new voice and a more creative offensive coordinator, one who can also bring in a strong offensive line coach. Both hires need to be home runs.
Harbaugh was asked what he is looking for in an offensive coordinator.
“A head coach of the offense,” Harbaugh said. “That person that teaches, installs, puts the players in the in the best position to be to be successful, and ultimately scores points.”
My take: It’s no secret that Harbaugh needs to evolve with the times. The Chargers need a younger, more innovative, “brainiac” style offense, one that uses motion, disguises, and creates mismatches. If Harbaugh can successfully blend his system with that of a modern offensive coordinator, this could become a dominant offense, especially with Herbert at quarterback.
Now, who does that sound like? Mike McDaniel. He’s young, innovative, and has already proven it in Miami. Look at what he built with Tua Tagovailoa, now imagine that system with Herbert. That offense could be frightening. Another reason McDaniel fits the idea: he could bring Frank Smith back to the Chargers as offensive line coach. Smith was with the organization in 2021 before McDaniel took him to Miami, and the Chargers’ offensive line was at its best when Smith was in charge.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith (left) and coach Mike McDaniel during practice at the PSD Bank Arena.
Would the offensive coordinator have a say in building his staff?
“If he feels like he needs somebody to run his particular system, yes, he would have input on that great amount,” Harbaugh said.
My take: Hopefully that’s true. If the Chargers truly want a “head coach of the offense,” that individual must have real authority, especially when it comes to personnel and coaching decisions. Nailing the offensive line coach hire is critical.
How many candidates are they looking at?
“Wide net, get the best possible person that we can to be the head coach of the offense,” Harbaugh said.
My take: Casting a wide net is encouraging, but it may not be as wide as it sounds. The Chargers have already interviewed passing game coordinator Marcus Brady, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the list remains short. When teams make a move like this, they often already have someone in mind.
“My job is to build the team,” Harbaugh said. “Be the team builder that is growing and is ultimately going to win the championship. That’s the only thing that we’re building for.”
My take: Hortiz and Harbaugh mentioned a Super Bowl or championship more than a dozen times Thursday. The message was clear: they believe they’re close. That’s exactly why hiring the right offensive mind is so important.
Both Hortiz and Harbaugh spoke as if they believe defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will receive a head coaching opportunity. They explained what the plan would be if he does leave.
“You have a list of candidates ready if he does depart,” Hortiz said of Minter. “We have a lot of great coaches on the staff, on the defensive staff, and that’ll be considered too if he does depart.”
My take: Is Minter deserving of a head coaching job? Absolutely. Will he get one? That’s a toss-up. Owner preferences vary, but Minter has been a rock for Harbaugh ever since coming over from Michigan. If the Chargers lose Minter and his father Rick, who serves as a senior analyst—they’ll need to fill significant roles.
It will be interesting to see whether the Chargers promote from within, possibly elevating defensive line coach Mike Elston or defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. Both have done outstanding work with their units and should be at the front of the line.
“I think it’s always good to when you have an opportunity to speak to people outside the building,” Hortiz said. “One about their schemes, about their philosophies, about their approaches, but then also they can give you some nuggets on your team, because they’re taking a look at you. You can get some ideas from that. So I think it’s a great opportunity for us to learn a lot about the candidates and learn a little bit about ourselves too.”
My take: This quote applies to the offensive coordinator search as well. It was revealing to hear Hortiz describe interviews as a two-way street. The Chargers clearly value outside perspectives and constructive criticism, which helps explain why Harbaugh chose Hortiz as his GM.
If Minter leaves, expect the Chargers to listen closely to outside defensive coordinator candidates, too. This could be a very busy offseason.
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“Navarro Bowman has decided to step back from coaching,” Hortiz announced. “For those of you that don’t know, his son is in the elite hooper, and he wants to be a dad and help guide him through the process of college and selecting a college.”
My take: This is a big loss. Bowman appeared to be on a fast track toward a defensive coordinator role and eventually a head coaching job. Family always comes first, but the Chargers will feel his absence. It will be crucial to get this hire right, especially with a young linebacker room outside of free agent Denzel Perryman.
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Both were asked about Justin Herbert’s performance in the playoff game and throughout the season. They acknowledged they need to do more to help him win.
“Justin’s a winner,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think there’s anybody that could watch him the way he prepares, trains, the level of talent, and not say that he’s a winner. 100% in my mind.”
My take: Harbaugh will always defend Herbert and rightly so. Around the league, Herbert is viewed extremely highly by experts. Now it’s on Hortiz and Harbaugh to get him the best possible offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. The offense as a whole still needs major work if it’s going to rise to Herbert’s level.
Jordan Carroll – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) observes practice during Chargers training camp on Monday, August 4th, 2025, at The Bolt in El Segundo, Calif.
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At around the 32-minute mark, Hortiz became animated when asked about center Bradley Bozeman’s performance.
“I’m not going to get into individual assessments of players,” Hortiz said. “I don’t want to go over 53 players. So that’s something we do as a staff in the offseason. We talk about it, but I’ll say this, every one of those guys fought their asses off for us this year, through a lot of adversity, every one of them, we can nitpick whoever we want.
“We can prop up whoever we want. They all went out there and busted their butts and helped deliver another playoff, you know, appearance, and I am so proud of that, and I’m so thankful for that.”
My take: It’s no secret that Bozeman, and the offensive line as a whole, struggled badly. Hortiz getting fired up suggests frustration with the criticism, but the reality is they extended Bozeman and started him all season. His play was inconsistent at best and outright poor at worst.
Connecting that to the next quote, Harbaugh was asked if the team needs a new starting center.
“As Joe said, we’re looking to upgrade at every department, every position group,” Harbaugh said.
My take: They’ll never publicly throw a player under the bus, but the Chargers desperately need a new center. There’s no way they can run it back with the current group, outside of possibly left guard Zion Johnson if they believe he’s taken a step forward.
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“To echo what coach said there’s a lot of people that we’ve talked to that that see what we have and what we’re building, and how we’re looking to continue to get better, and we’re going to get in the ring with all those guys and see what we can find,” Hortiz said.
My take: This is clearly an attractive job, especially with Herbert at quarterback. The Chargers now have weapons in Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Oronde Gadsden, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. More pieces are needed, but the foundation is there.
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This was the Chargers brass speaking on Keenan Allen.
“I thought he fit good,” Hortiz said. “Like I mentioned, there’s a lot of guys we’d like to have back, and he’s on that.
“Helped us win games,” Harbaugh added.
My take: Allen’s future will be fascinating to watch. He finished the season with 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns, while leading the league in third-down catches and first downs. He once again became Herbert’s security blanket. The production is there—but will the new offensive coordinator want him back? Time will tell.
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Finally, Hortiz addressed Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option.
“We haven’t had talks about that yet,” Hortiz said of Johnston. “Again, it’s early, but I’ll say this: I love Q and the growth he’s made. The development he’s made from year one to year three has been awesome to see. I’m a big fan of Q’s.”
My take: Statistically, Johnston has improved every season. Drops were rarely an issue this year. The main knock is that he can disappear at times—though that’s not always on him. He posted 337 yards and four touchdowns in the first four weeks, then finished strong with 202 yards and a touchdown over the final two games. That means in the middle eight games he had just 196 yards and three scores.
In 2026, consistency is the next step. Given his steady improvement, there’s reason to believe he can take it.