Jim Harbaugh Avoids Responsibility for Chargers' Special Teams Issues
Special teams have been a significant challenge for the LA Chargers this season, surprising many given the past success under coordinator Ryan Ficken, who revitalized the unit and kept it among the league's best. Some problems were due to unexpected events, like the injury of their Pro Bowl-caliber long snapper just before the season, which forced the team to sign a replacement who retired two months later—an unforeseeable setback.
However, the Chargers have control over their special teams personnel. For reasons unclear, head coach Jim Harbaugh and executive Joe Hortiz appear to have deprioritized this area in back-end roster decisions, which may seem minor but have negatively impacted the team.
Harbaugh's Response to Criticism
Following the trade deadline, the Chargers traded prominent special teams player Ja'Sir Taylor for a 2028 seventh-round pick. When asked about these roster moves and the state of special teams, Harbaugh did not offer an explanation or take responsibility. Instead, he dismissed the question as ill-intended, avoiding accountability.
The Chargers’ struggles on special teams have not improved and seem to be worsened by recent decisions, despite no confidence in the unit.
"The Chargers head coach didn't take the question as an opportunity to explain the team's reasoning. Instead, he took it as an opportunity to deflect as an ill-intended question."
"It would be one thing if the Chargers were struggling on special teams with a unit they believed in. This is a different situation."
Summary: Jim Harbaugh has neglected to acknowledge the Chargers’ ongoing special teams struggles, which continue to worsen due to questionable roster choices despite clear control over the personnel involved.