Jim Harbaugh Avoids Responsibility for Chargers' Special Teams Issues
Special teams have emerged as a significant problem for the LA Chargers this season. This comes as a surprise since Ryan Ficken, the special teams coordinator, revitalized the unit years ago and maintained it as one of the league's best.
Some difficulties have been due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the injury of their Pro Bowl long snapper just before the season started. The team had to sign a replacement who retired two months later, an event that was impossible to anticipate.
Personnel Decisions Impacting Performance
While some setbacks were unavoidable, the Chargers do control their special teams personnel. However, Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz appear to have deprioritized special teams when making late roster decisions, choices that might seem minor but carry significant consequences.
Trade Deadline Controversy
After the trade deadline, the Chargers traded Ja'Sir Taylor, a key special teams player, for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. When asked about these moves, Harbaugh declined to address the reasoning and instead treated the question as an unwelcome criticism.
"It would be one thing if the Chargers were struggling on special teams with a unit they believed in. This is a different situation."
The Chargers' special teams struggles have worsened due to these questionable roster decisions, raising concerns about the team's strategic priorities.
Author's summary: Jim Harbaugh’s reluctance to acknowledge the Chargers' special teams issues highlights concerns over personnel choices that have weakened the unit.