Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh praised his brother, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, ahead of a matchup between their teams on Monday Night Football.

"Nobody I trust more in football than my brother John," Jim said, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

Their shared confidence in each other is reflected in the staff of each respective coach, as the brothers have multiple assistants that have worked under both of them throughout their careers (via Popper).

Monday represents the third meeting between the two, with John owning a 2-0 record in the first two contests. Their most notable matchup occurred in Super Bowl XLVII, as John's Ravens secured a hard-fought 34-31 victory over Jim and the San Francisco 49ers to clinch Baltimore's second Lombardi trophy.

Jim returned to his alma mater following his stint with the 49ers, leading Michigan to a record of 89-25 as well as a national title in 2023 during his nine years at the school.

He eventually transitioned back to the NFL level during the 2024 offseason and his first year with the Chargers has been a success, helping the team open the season with a 7-3 record.

The upcoming meeting between the two brothers also contains heavy playoff implications, as both teams currently occupy the top wild card spots in the AFC standings. With the Ravens sitting at 7-4, a win on Monday would put them above the Chargers and give them a crucial head-to-head victory in case both teams finish the regular season with identical records.

Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET.

The Harbaugh brothers' teams will be playing Monday evening as John's Baltimore Ravens visit Jim's Los Angeles Chargers.

When asked about facing off against his brother Wednesday, Jim Harbaugh noted he didn't want to make the game about them.

"I'm sure he doesn't want to make it about him," Harbaugh said, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "I don't want to make it about me. It is what it is. Big game, for sure. Two teams having at it."

The brothers have faced each other twice before when Jim Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers (2011-2014), most notably in Super Bowl XLVII, when Baltimore won 34-31 in Feb. 2013. The Ravens also beat the 49ers in Nov. 2011, 16-6.

Despite Jim Harbaugh's efforts to downplay the brotherly coaching matchup, it's clear this will be a talking point all week and especially on Monday. For example, ESPN is already putting out a special on Friday before airing the game on Monday.

They are the only brothers to face off as coaches in NFL history, so the feat is quite impressive and should be discussed.

The two also have a great love and respect for one another, and that was apparent during chats with the media this week. John Harbaugh notably spoke with reporters Thursday on the matter.

This is also a huge matchup otherwise against two teams currently in AFC playoff position. The 7-3 Chargers hold the AFC's first wild-card spot and sit two games back of the Kansas City Chiefs for first in the AFC West (and AFC overall).

The 7-4 Ravens have the AFC's second AFC wild-card spot and are currently a game-and-a-half behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for the North division lead.

So there will be great attention placed on both sidelines as the coaches and brothers battle, but this is an intriguing matchup even when putting that aside. Kickoff is set for Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET in Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh's love of Bolts quarterback Justin Herbert is no secret, but he continued his relentless praise of the fifth-year signal-caller Wednesday by calling him one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

"Enjoy it. He's not only one of the best in the game currently, he's one of the best of all-time," Harbaugh said Wednesday, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I do not feel at all like I'm going out on a limb in saying that."

Harbaugh also added:

"Everything you could say good about a quarterback and then some. Talent and effort, and just intangibles that are off the chart. Every measurement you could have for a quarterback, tangible or intangible, he possesses at the highest level. It's like being around greatness every day."

Herbert is enjoying a fantastic 2024 season, throwing 13 touchdowns to just one interception while completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 2,186 yards (7.9 yards per attempt). His 102.1 passer rating ranks sixth in the NFL.

Los Angeles is enjoying a fantastic season in Harbaugh's first year at the helm, going 7-3 through 10 games. The Chargers look well-positioned for a playoff berth and currently occupy the AFC's first wild card spot.

The vibes and chemistry are off-the-charts in Los Angeles right now, and it's clear that Harbaugh and Herbert's relationship is at the forefront there.

The Chargers' social media team gave fans a glimpse of that (in particular, Harbaugh's unbridled enthusiasm) in a highlight package of the team's 27-10 home win over the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 10.

Harbaugh's praise of Herbert wasn't limited to calling him one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time Wednesday, showcasing his intangibles and perfectionism as well, saying it's like "being around greatness every single day."

Harbaugh may be using a bit of hyperbole when discussing Herbert's GOAT status, but there's no doubt the ex-Oregon star is enjoying a great season and realizing the potential he showcased when Los Angeles selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Herbert has a great challenge up ahead now with two-time NFL MVP (and 2024 MVP candidate) Lamar Jackson and the 7-4 Baltimore Ravens rolling into town on Monday evening. A win there would give the Chargers five in a row.

The Los Angeles Chargers narrowly escaped an epic collapse Sunday night, but the team's X account showed that a win is a win no matter the circumstances.

J.K. Dobbins' 29-yard run with 18 seconds on the clock lifted Los Angeles to a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, who had overcome a 21-point deficit in the second half to tie the game.

The Chargers had a field day on social media after the contest ended:

And they kept receipts on those who picked the Bengals to come out on top at SoFi Stadium:

This was L.A.'s fourth straight win, a fact the team was all too happy to remind everyone of:

The Chargers put their fans through the wringer.

The home team was up 24-6 by halftime, with Justin Herbert throwing for 183 yards and two touchdowns. A straightforward triumph appeared to be on the cards.

The sense of dread began to grow as Cincinnati steadily ate away at the deficit. Evan McPherson had a chance to put the Bengals ahead but missed his 51-yard field goal attempt with 1:52 on the clock. They had another opportunity to get the game-winning score but stalled out before crossing the 50-yard line.

We would've missed out on some premium social content if the Chargers managed to blow this one.

In an appearance on the "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh said that the team does need help at any position before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

In response to a graphic shown by Cowherd questioning the Chargers' need for a wide receiver, Harbaugh made a strong stance on the effectiveness of his current roster.

"No, we don't need that... I can't think of a position right now that we need to upgrade," Harbaugh said (8:25 mark). "I love the guys that are here; love 'em."

The 5-3 Chargers currently rank second to last in total receptions per game with 147 and are among the bottom ten teams in the NFL for total receiving yards, totaling 1,749.

The Chargers lost two of their top three leading receivers this year, Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler and their absence has significantly impacted the team's offensive production.

Rookie Ladd McConkey has been shouldering much of the Chargers receiver weight with 52 targets this season from quarterback Justin Herbert, recording 35 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

Harbaugh mentioned that the decision to bring in any new players would rest heavily on general manager Joe Hortiz.

"If Joe wants somebody and can make us better, then I know he will," Harbaugh said. "All competitors are welcome; Competitors welcome to the 2024 Los Angeles Chargers."

It appears that the Chargers will maintain their current lineup as they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James Jr. praised the leadership and guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh with the team starting 5-3 to open the 2024 NFL season.

James described Harbaugh as "like a father away from home" in an interview with The MMQB's Albert Breer.

"Having a coach like that who's experienced, that's been to a Super Bowl, knows what it takes, won a national championship, he's serious about winning," the three-time Pro Bowler said. "Every day, you see it in his message and how his other coaches coach.

"When you got a leader like that leading, you see the team that we have, with the guys we have. You can see the team we're forming over here. Coach Harbaugh's around us to give us that chance."

James went on to say those outside of the Chargers "don't understand the quirkiness" with Harbaugh.

"That's how he's so successful," the veteran safety said. "You may look at him as quirky, but he really loves football. I've never met a coach that loves football as much as coach Harbaugh. He would die for football. He loves it that much."

From the moment Harbaugh was hired, the question wasn't so much about whether he could trigger an immediate improvement in Los Angeles.

The San Francisco 49ers won 13 games in his first year and were NFC champions the following season. Michigan posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in his first two years after combining for 12 victories in the last two seasons of predecessor Brady Hoke.

The concerns with the 60-year-old is that the "quirkiness," as James described it, might begin to wear on an NFL locker room over time. For all of the success the Niners enjoyed with him as the coach, that's exactly what happened in San Francisco.

Everything is copacetic in Southern California with the Chargers occupying a wild-card place in the AFC. Maybe Harbaugh has changed his demeanor enough to where there won't be a similar unraveling like there was with his 49ers tenure.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been named as a "potential team to watch" to land current New York Jets wide receiver (and ex-Charger wideout) Mike Williams prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (conversation begins at 1:50 mark).

In addition, Pelissero named three more wideouts—the Carolina Panthers' Adam Thielen, the New York Giants' Darius Slayton and the New England Patriots' K.J. Osborn—as trade candidates for teams looking for wide receivers before the deadline.

Mike Williams signed a one-year contract with the Jets prior to the 2024 season, but he was bumped down the depth chart after New York traded for wide receiver Davante Adams. However, he's still in the mix after Allen Lazard landed on injured reserve with a chest injury. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported on Thursday that "Lazard's absence means the Jets are more likely to retain Mike Williams instead of making him available for trades."

For the season, Williams has just 12 catches for 166 yards and no touchdowns. But he'd be a great fit back with his old team in the Chargers, which could use more enforcements on the outside. Outside of Ladd McConkey, no other wideout has more than 15 receptions.

As far as the other wideouts mentioned, Thielen remains on injured reserve since September with a hamstring injury. He did turn in two limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday but didn't practice Friday and was later ruled doubtful (and then out) for Sunday's home game against the New Orleans Saints.

The 34-year-old Thielen has eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in three games.

Slayton, a six-year veteran, has played his entire career with the Giants. He's caught 29 passes for 420 yards and one touchdown and just posted a 108-yard game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Giants are 2-6, and Slayton is an impending free agent. As Dan Duggan of The Athletic noted, if the team doesn't want to re-sign Slayton, then a trade is the next logical move.

"I've heard that the Giants haven't had any extension talks with Darius Slayton and Azeez Ojulari. The Giants have to know if they want to re-sign them at this point, and they should have a gauge on their markets and the players' interest in potentially re-signing.

"Those factors should dictate how they operate over the next 48 hours. If the Giants aren't planning to re-sign them or don't believe they'll be able to, the obvious decision is to trade them for whatever they can get.

"I think it's that simple."

Osborn is on a one-year deal with the 2-6 Patriots, another team likely playing out the string of a lost season. If the 27-year-old is getting interest in the trade market, it would behoove the Pats to make a deal.

He's had a quiet season with just seven receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown, but he averaged 53 receptions for 615 yards and five scores with the Minnesota Vikings from 2021-2023.

Overall, as Pelissero noted, the wide receiver trade market has been hot so far, and it would be a surprise if another wideout or two didn't get on the move prior to Tuesday afternoon at this point, especially with all the buzz that remains around the position.

Sitting in the final wild card spot in the AFC entering Week 9, the Los Angeles Chargers might be looking to add to their roster before the NFL trade deadline.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Chargers are described as "window shopping" for potential deals right now where they are comfortably with their current situation but will "consider" any options that might help them get better.

Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has almost quietly coached his unit up to be the best in the NFL by points allowed per game (13.0). The only team that has scored at least 20 points against them was the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.

Their level of competition they have played hasn't been great so far. The Kansas City Chiefs are the only team they've gone up against that ranks higher than 14th in points per game, but they are at least taking care of business against opponents they should be able to beat.

The more pressing issue for the Chargers if they are going to make an in-season move is finding a pass-catcher who can help out Justin Herbert.

After being on the injury report earlier this season due to an ankle injury, Herbert has been back at full strength since Week 6 and has started playing much better. He has thrown for 628 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 66.2 completion percentage in his past two games.

The Chargers' 17 dropped passes this season are tied for fifth-most in the NFL. Ladd McConkey is coming off the best game of his career with 111 yards and two touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints, but another receiver would open things up for the offense.

Per The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, the Chargers were among the teams that called the New York Jets about Mike Williams in the aftermath of the Davante Adams trade.

Fowler noted the Jets could decide to hang on to Williams now that Allen Lazard is on injured reserve.

It's unclear how much of a difference Williams could make for the Chargers at this stage of his career, but he does have an already-established connection with Herbert from their four seasons together as teammates from 2020 to '23.

Given the number of wide receivers who have already been traded, the market for that position is shrinking with just a few days remaining before the deadline.

The NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The Chargers could be 5-3 by that point if they are able to defeat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.

Most people likely don't think of Steve Smith Sr. when they are watching Ladd McConkey.

But Jim Harbaugh isn't most people.

The Los Angeles Chargers head coach sees some of his former teammate when he watches the AFC West club's go-to receiver.

"It's like they both had this ability and this skill to almost look one way and then catch it just a few feet the other way," Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "It's really subtle, it's really good."

McConkey has a ways to go to reach Smith's level, and he would likely be the first to say as much.

After all, Smith was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection with eight different seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards. One of those seasons was 2005 when he led the NFL in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and touchdown catches (12) for a Carolina Panthers team that reached the NFC Championship Game.

Carolina also advanced to the Super Bowl during the 2003 campaign in large part because Smith had 18 catches for 404 yards and three touchdowns in four postseason games.

As for McConkey, the Chargers selected him with a second-round pick this year to bolster a wide receiver room that no longer has Keenan Allen or Mike Williams.

The Georgia product has been solid as a rookie with 30 catches for 376 yards and four touchdowns, but he may have turned the corner in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints. He posted six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a career-best performance that might hint at what's to come.

"He's a complete receiver," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "For him to be able to line up inside, outside we've got a true ball player on our hands."

McConkey is clearly earning Herbert's trust and rewarded the signal-caller accordingly in the latest win.

Next up is a showdown against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday where Los Angeles will look to win a second straight game and improve to 5-3 in Harbaugh's first season at the helm.