Chargers News: Donovan McNabb Shares Expectations for Los Angeles' Offense Under Jim Harbaugh

The Los Angeles Chargers are gearing up for a pivotal season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who aims to turn around a franchise that has struggled with postseason success despite having standout players like Justin Herbert, Derwin James Jr., and Khalil Mack.

During an interview with Los Angeles Sports Report , Eagles legend Donovan McNabb talked about his expectations for the new-look Chargers this upcoming NFL season.

“Offensively, I think he runs the football a lot more this season,” McNabb said. “I think they’ll run the ball a lot more, take pressure off Justin Herbert. They’ll utilize their tight ends a little bit more in the interior part of the football field because Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are gone."

With Harbaugh at the helm, the Chargers are expected to shift their offensive strategy towards a more run-focused approach. This change comes after years of relying heavily on the passing game, which has not yielded the desired results.

The team has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Melvin Gordon in 2017, and Harbaugh's experience leading a top-ranked rushing attack at Michigan could be a game-changer.

The Chargers are likely to incorporate more tight end usage and intermediate routes, moving away from a reliance on short passes.

This strategy aims to create a balanced offense that alleviates pressure on Herbert while maximizing the potential of younger talents like Joshua Palmer.

McNabb added, "They have some young talent on the outside with (Joshua) Palmer to be able to stretch the field, but I just think it’ll be more of an efficient offense, a little bit of intermediate throws, taking some shots downfield.

"But also you’ll see them getting outside of the pocket a little bit. Something that we’ve seen them use J.J. McCarthy in those situations in Michigan."

On the defensive side, the Chargers have faced challenges, ranking low in key statistics under former head coach Brandon Staley.

The team's ability to stay healthy and perform well on third downs will be critical. Key players like Derwin James, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack need to remain on the field to contribute effectively.

McNabb added that he wonders if the defense can stay healthy this season and get off the field on third down.

"My thing with this football team is really, to be honest with you, is can they get off on third down? Can Derwin James and (Joey) Bosa and Khalil Mack and those guys stay healthy all throughout the year? Can they play efficient football on both sides of the ball?”

As the Chargers prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on establishing a more efficient offense and a resilient defense, setting the stage for a potential turnaround in their fortunes.