The Los Angeles Chargers concluded their NFL wild card weekend with a 16-3 defeat against the New England Patriots. Head coach Jim Harbaugh publicly addressed the team's performance following the game.
Coach's Statements
Harbaugh stated he lacked immediate answers for the team's low scoring output, acknowledging, "I really don’t have the answers. I wish I did. If I did there would have been a different result." He committed to significant effort and analysis to understand the reasons behind the outcome.
He further indicated a comprehensive review of the team would be undertaken to prepare for the 2026 season. Harbaugh emphasized collective responsibility, stating, "We weren’t good enough as a team. And that’s what we do: We win as a team, we lose as a team, and it’s our responsibility to have the team in a better position." He also extended congratulations to the Patriots for their performance.
Team Performance Context
Harbaugh, hired in 2024 after the Chargers' 5-12 season, has since guided the team to an 11-6 record in each of his first two years. Despite this regular-season improvement, the team's playoff record under his leadership stands at 0-2. Harbaugh acknowledged the necessity of identifying solutions for the team's playoff results.