Chargers’ Evolving Offense Mirrors Harbaugh’s Vision

For a while now, Jim Harbaugh’s approach to football seemed somewhat behind the times.

As many NFL teams embraced lighter player groups and faster, more versatile defenses, Harbaugh stuck to his guns, focusing on an offense that prioritized physicality and utilized tight ends heavily.

But now, it feels like the rest of the league is starting to catch up.

One notable point made by Albert Bouyer in a recent offseason update was the Chargers’ revamped tight end situation. Bouyer argued that Los Angeles’ improvements in this area could be among the most significant changes this offseason, hinting at a larger trend beyond just the players involved.

It’s clear that the Chargers are starting to embody Harbaugh’s football philosophy.

This is evident throughout their roster.

For instance, first-round pick Omarion Hampton is a power runner built to handle a substantial workload. They’ve also got solid offensive tackles like Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. The defensive lineup features strong edge players such as Khalil Mack, Thuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor.

And, of course, there’s the tight end group.

Bouer emphasized the significance of their second-year hybrid player Orondo Gadsden II, along with additions like Charlie Kohler and David Njoku. Kohler, coming from the Ravens, is recognized as one of the top blocking tight ends, while Njoku offers versatility that can create dynamic mismatches for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

This flexibility has always been at the heart of Harbaugh’s offensive strategy.

While at Stanford, tight ends became key components of his game plan. Players like Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, and others flourished under his guidance. During his time at Michigan, Jake Butt earned accolades, and Colston Loveland emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country.

Harbaugh never treated tight ends merely as extra blockers; instead, they were crucial to both the running and passing games.

Interestingly, the NFL has started to recognize tight ends in a similar light.

Usage of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) jumped from 17.3% of plays in 2022 to over 22% in 2025. Even more striking, the reporting showed a nearly 50% rise in plays using 13 personnel (three tight ends) last season compared to the year prior.

A notable shift appeared to come from just above the 405.

The Rams, under Sean McVay, surprised many by adopting a heavy 13 personnel approach in the latter part of the 2025 season. The outcome was impressive: quarterback Matthew Stafford recorded 22 touchdowns without any interceptions, leaving defenses in a tough spot between focusing on the run or risking matchup issues.

This led to a tricky situation for many teams. The Rams also saw positive expected added points (EPA) on over 50% of their rushing attempts in 2025, becoming just the second team since Pro Football Focus began tracking these metrics to achieve such numbers.

The impact was immediate. In the 2026 NFL Draft, 22 tight ends were chosen—marking the highest count since 2002.

This makes McDaniel’s involvement particularly intriguing.

His Dolphins offense didn’t solely revolve around tight ends, but he was notable for his adaptability. When the situation called for it, Miami became one of the most efficient teams targeting tight ends, often ranking in the league’s top 10 for EPA per play.

The combination of Harbaugh’s blueprint and McDaniel’s creativity could pose a real threat for the Chargers.

Harbaugh lays out the fundamentals, while McDaniel brings a unique flair.

Together, they’ve created a roster capable of executing multiple offensive strategies without changing personnel, whether it’s traditional power plays or spreading the defense thin. They can force opponents into uncomfortable choices before the snap.

In essence, the Chargers aren’t just constructing an offense centered on tight ends.

They’re gearing up for the future direction of the NFL.

And for the first time since Harbaugh’s return to the professional ranks, it seems the league may finally be moving in his direction.