Jim Harbaugh refuses to take accountability for Chargers’ special teams woes
Jim Harbaugh had an opportunity to acknowledge the Los Angeles Chargers’ ongoing special teams problems but chose not to. Throughout this season, the unit has underperformed—a surprise given that coordinator Ryan Ficken previously revitalized it, turning the group into one of the league’s most consistent.
Some of the struggles could be attributed to bad luck. The team lost its Pro Bowl-level long snapper just before the season began, forcing a last-minute signing who retired only two months later. Still, roster construction remains within the Chargers’ control, and there appears to be a pattern of deprioritizing special teams when finalizing backup roles and depth positions.
These choices, though seemingly minor, have had real consequences. After the trade deadline, the Chargers moved one of their key special teams contributors, Ja’Sir Taylor, in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick, deepening concerns about the group’s stability.
When asked on Wednesday to explain these decisions, Harbaugh declined to provide reasoning and instead deflected, treating the question as unfair rather than engaging with the substance of it.
The Chargers’ decline on special teams feels less like misfortune and more like a result of strategic neglect that has now begun to show on the field.
Author’s summary:
Jim Harbaugh avoided addressing the Chargers’ special teams failures, deflecting questions as his roster decisions continue to weaken one of the team’s most fragile units.