Every NFL season kicks off with the usual suspects dominating the Super Bowl discussion. While the spotlight remains on the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens, one team quietly lurks in the shadows as a serious contender.
Here is why the Los Angeles Chargers are a serious contender to win it all in 2025.
After forcing Nick Saban, the greatest college football coach in history, into retirement, Jim Harbaugh seeks to stake a new claim in Los Angeles. Fresh off bringing a CFP National Championship to his alma mater, Michigan, this franchise is finally getting the leadership it’s lacked for decades. Add in a healthy Justin Herbert and a retooled roster built to compete in the AFC, and this team has the recipe for a surprise Super Bowl run.
Harbaugh has only missed the playoffs once as a professional head coach. In three of his five seasons at the pro level, he’s led his team to the conference championship. Competing in the AFC West is undeniably an intimidating roadblock to pass, but if there was a team that could serve as Kansas City’s kryptonite, it’s likely to come from their neck of the woods.
In 2024, the Chargers’ greatest weakness was quite an ironic one, considering Harbaugh’s history as a head coach. They ranked as the league’s fourth-worst team in terms of run efficiency according to PFF. It must have been a heartbreaker for Harbaugh, who’s consistently shown us he wants to win via the ground game. This time around, that won’t be the case.
Not only did the Chargers select Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft, but they also picked up Najee Harris in free agency. In a matter of just a couple of months, the Chargers have completely flipped the script. Elevating what was once recognized as one of the worst running back rooms in the league to suddenly one of the best. Harbaugh is comfortably back in his wheelhouse.
Upon their initial arrival in Los Angeles, the new regime inherited an absolute financial disaster. Before Harbaugh could even put his name on the door, he and General Manager Jim Hortiz, stared down a payroll that was roughly $45 million north of the 2024 salary cap.
Although the roster came with a franchise quarterback in Herbert, along with a few additional cornerstones, the salary cap situation simply implied a full rebuild was in order. Harbaugh had other plans. He made the bold decision to part ways with not only one, but two franchise-receiving superstars in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Additionally, Khalil Mack, LB, and Joey Bosa, DE, (who was released this offseason) agreed to restructured contracts.
Only a year after making these massive moves, the Chargers find themselves $27 million in the green while only bearing roughly $24 million in dead money. A truly astonishing turnaround considering the mess they were handed upon arrival.
After a brief departure, the Chargers brought Williams back for pennies on the dollar, pairing him with two talented 2nd round picks: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia; in the 2024 draft, and Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss; in the 2025 draft.
Most disregard Herbert as a slightly above-average quarterback. The reality is, there is still plenty of time for him to prove himself as a true superstar in the NFL. Despite Herbert’s previous inability to perform in the playoffs, he has undoubtedly proven himself to be a great starting quarterback. He has the arm that can make any throw, the athleticism to overcome any mayhem, and the mindset to overcome unseen adversity. All ingredients a team would likely need to go all the way.
The Los Angeles Chargers have everything they need to go the distance. They’ve got the coach, the quarterback, and playmakers on both sides of the ball. No sportsbook currently has them in the top 10 of Super Bowl Champion odds.
Are the Chargers the most likely team to take home the cake this year? Definitely not. Still, as they’re sitting at +2500 to +3000 to win it all, one can’t help but see them as a value. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a dark horse.
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