Jim Harbaugh's Chargers preseason Week 1 debut: 3 takeaways from coach's NFL return vs. Seahawks

Jim Harbaugh is officially back as an NFL coach. Although his preseason opener with the Chargers was an uninspiring 16-3 home loss to the Seahawks, his team was operating with only a shell of its personnel.

With quarterback Justin Herbert out resting a foot injury and Harbaugh not playing most other starters, there wasn't much to resemble regular-season mode. However, observing how Los Angeles went to work for the first time under the mercurial coach, there were still some important initial impressions.

Here's breaking down the three key takeaways from Harbaugh's NFL return NFL.

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Jim Harbaugh Chargers debut: 3 takeaways from preseason opener

The Chargers will be a strong, dedicated running team

The offensive line will be an all-around blocking force with three first-rounders (tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, left guard Zion Johnson). New center Bradley Bozeman's strength is also in the running game.

With no JK Dobbins or Gus Edwards, Jaret Patterson moved closer to earning the No. 3 job with seven carries for a team-high 38 yards. While no Herbert had Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman giving Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and Luis Perez the requisite amount of passing reps, there was a hint of a much more balanced attack.

Under Kellen Moore last season, the Chargers called pass plays 61 percent of the time. That should drop to around 55 percent with Roman.

The Chargers' pass rush will be a lot more versatile and dangerous

The team had a solid 48 sacks in the final season under defensive-minded coach Brandon Staley, but 29 came from outside linebackers in the 3-4, including 17 from Khalil Mack.  New defensive coordinator Jessie Minter, fresh from Harbaugh's Michigan staff, has shown they will be able to get to the QB with more players from more angles via the blitz.

Backup inside linebackers Nick Niemann and Troy Dye came through with two of the team's three sacks vs. the Seahawks. The rotational depth is better, and Minter will be relentless with his chess pieces.

John Harbaugh's Ravens led the league with 60 sacks in 2023. Look for Jim's team to push more toward that total with Minter play-calling well off Mack's continued dominance.

The Chargers will simply put their best players on the field, regardless of status

This seems simple, but a lot of coaches don't get it and stick with the wrong players, whatever their level of expectations are with the inexperienced and experienced alike.

Second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston and rookie running back Kimani Vidal are two of the more well-documented struggling young players in the Harbaugh system. At the same time, rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey and rookie linebacker Daiyan Henley are set for massive, active roles.

Harbaugh, as expected, has instilled a hard-nosed competitive atmosphere to bring out the best in his team overall. The trademark togetherness and toughness are on track, putting Harbaugh in position for another quick turnaround in his fifth head-coaching stop.