I truly don\u2019t have the words after last night\u2019s loss to the Patriots. An elite performance by the defense was completely overshadowed by a worst-case scenario for Justin Herbert and the offense. I\u2019ve spent so much time on social media since the game end that I simply feel that anything else I have to say is redundant at this point.<\/p>\n
One half of this football team was egregiously and inexcusably bad in the most important game of the season. So underwhelming and unprepared that anything less than some major changes would be yet another gigantic slap in the face of the fan base in regards to what they so rightfully deserve.<\/p>\n
Since Jim Harbaugh was hired in 2024, some things have changed for the better. There absolutely has been a culture shift in the building. That\u2019s a great start and a foundational piece of building this team into what it wants to be, but this season showed exactly where there is still a notable shortfall.<\/p>\n
It happened under Brandon Staley and it\u2019s seemingly happening right now under Harbaugh. A decision to hire an offensive coordinator NOT because it\u2019s what is best for Herbert, but because there\u2019s familiarity and a friendship there, is once again backfiring on the franchise and further wasting the prime years of a franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n
The change from Joe Lombardi came too late. The only thing stopping the Roman decision from being \u201ctoo late\u201d for Harbaugh is due to the amount of wins he\u2019s earned these first two seasons. If he decides to run it back with Roman and there\u2019s anything remotely close to this season happening again, he cannot save himself for being the next head coach to squander a rare and truly great window of opportunity in this franchise\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
If he really does choose to move on, the next coach cannot be \u2014 in any way \u2014 connected to Harbaugh from a past relationship. At least, it cannot be based on that fact. The next offensive coordinator needs to be evaluated based on his actual body of work. Familiarity truly be damned.<\/p>\n
And now for today\u2019s links.<\/p>\n
Five takeaways<\/a> from the Chargers loss to the Patriots in the wild card round (Chargers.com)<\/p>\n Social media<\/a> had plenty of reactions to the Chargers\u2019 loss in the wild card round (Chargers Wire)<\/p>\n The Packers<\/a> are set to enter extension talks with HC Matt LaFleur (ESPN)<\/p>\n What we learned<\/a> from the winning teams and their performances on Sunday (NFL.com)<\/p>\n The Ravens are interviewing Kliff Kingsbury<\/a> for their HC position (Pro Football Talk)<\/p>\n