Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz (left) and coach Jim Harbaugh at press conference at The Bolt.
Despite being one of the richest franchises in the NFL, the Los Angeles Chargers are off to another quiet offseason.
“I don’t want to spend recklessly, I know that,” Hortiz said during his end-of-season press conference. “… I think you have to make smart decisions in free agency. I’ve said it over and over, if you chase perceived needs in free agency and the draft, then you end up, more often than not, overpaying or making a mistake.”
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Hortiz’s strategy lessens the risk of a disappointing free agent signing but it also prevents the team from improving some of its biggest weaknesses.
NFL Insider Says Chargers Could Fire Hortiz or Harbaugh Depending on Outcome of 2026 Season
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz (left) and coach Jim Harbaugh at press conference at The Bolt.
Since hiring Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh in January 2024, the Chargers have been eliminated from the playoffs in the Wild Card round in two consecutive seasons. Although making it to the Wild Card round is an improvement from the Tom Telesco era when the Chargers missed the playoffs eight times in 10 seasons, the franchise wants to win a Super Bowl.
NFL insider Kris Rhim said it seems unlikely that the franchise would fire Hortiz or Harbaugh in the near future. But Rhim said it is possible Chargers owner Dean Spanos will make that move if Los Angeles fails to make a deep playoff run next season.
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“It would be somewhat of a shock to see either of them let go after the 2026 season. Still, if the Chargers have another early playoff exit and another season of Herbert under constant duress after being frugal in free agency, Spanos could make a move,” Rhim wrote.
Harbaugh signed a five-year contract with the Chargers in January 2024. The hope was that he and Hortiz could help lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl but the team has yet to scratch the surface of that goal.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images