The culture shift is real in Los Angeles. After years of being labeled a team that couldn’t win when it mattered, the Chargers are betting everything on Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy. His approach to preseason football tells you everything about why this franchise believes 2025Â could finally be different.
How Does Jim Harbaugh’s Preseason Philosophy Differ From Sean McVay’s?
The Los Angeles Chargers are entering the 2025 NFL season expecting to make the next leap. They play in a loaded division led by the Kansas City Chiefs, and they are seeking to shake off their reputation as a team that can’t quite get over the hump, no matter how talented their roster is.
The term “Chargering” has been a bit of a snide remark that refers to the team’s inability to win key games, much less advance in the playoffs. Head coach Harbaugh was hired to change that perception and bring a winning culture to the franchise.
The contrast in coaching philosophies couldn’t be starker. While Rams head coach Sean McVay typically sits his starters during preseason action, Harbaugh is taking the opposite approach with his team’s preparation.
His first year was a success by any measure, as he coaxed the Chargers to 11 wins in the aforementioned rugged AFC West.
Will the Chargers Play Their Starters Against the Rams?
Now, coming off a 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints, the competition steps up as the Chargers face off against their housemates, the Los Angeles Rams.
“All the offensive starters are going to play,” Chargers coach Harbaugh said, through the team’s official website. “Defensively, same. I’m going to hold [Khalil Mack] and Derwin [James] back.
“Our guys want to play. They want the first series of the season not to be the first series of the season.”
This philosophy extends to his franchise quarterback, who will experience something completely new despite entering his sixth NFL season. Justin Herbert will ironically play in the first preseason game of his career. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the preseason in his rookie year (2020), and by the time 2021 rolled around, he was the established starter.
The decision to play Herbert wasn’t entirely Harbaugh’s initiative. The quarterback actively lobbied for game action, recognizing the value of facing live competition before the regular season begins.
“It was actually me going to [Harbaugh] and saying, ‘Hey, would it be OK if I went in and played?'” Herbert said. “Because in years past, the plan was to rest and save those reps, but I wanted to go out there and see a pass rush, because in practice, as a quarterback, you don’t always get the true feeling.”
Herbert is expected to play a series or two before giving way to backups Trey Lance and Taylor Heinicke.
Trey Lance needs to be a starter ASAP pic.twitter.com/hGf233VQwg
— Chill McFreeze (@FrostyColdTakes) August 10, 2025
Lance has been impressive so far in his limited opportunities. In two preseason games, the former third-overall pick has completed 20 of 34 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Saturday’s game will be a clash of coaching philosophies, with Harbaugh’s old-school approach contradicting McVay’s style of sitting his starters.
