Latest news with #Jim Harbaugh
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Latest Jim Harbaugh experiment could have a major impact on Justin Herbert's season
For Jim Harbaugh, all competitors are welcome. But along the interior of the Chargers' offensive line — an Achilles' heel amid last year's success, too often leaving Justin Herbert running for his life — the battle isn't over who will start, but where. Like last season, Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman are locked in as starters. What remains undecided is whether Johnson will line up at guard or center, and vice versa for Bozeman, as the two continue what Harbaugh called 'not really a competition, but a competition to get our best combination.' In training camp, the two are rotating between spots each practice, continuing a trial that began during organized team activities. Read more: Rashawn Slater agrees to four-year, $114-million deal with Chargers For Johnson, the move goes beyond uncharted territory. He has never taken a competitive snap at center at any level, aside from a handful of Senior Bowl reps in 2022. Though the Chargers never mentioned playing him at center when they drafted him, Johnson says he always saw it as a real possibility given his size and defensive awareness. But the organization didn't seriously explore the idea until the end of last season, when they started having him cross-train to see how he'd fare. 'It was pretty early in the offseason,' Johnson said of the pitch. 'I want to help the team in any way possible, whether that's left guard and now having experience at center. ... However they see fit, I'm willing to plug in.' Saturday marked Johnson's first full-padded practice at center, where he progressed in both pass and run protection but also struggled, missing stunts and committing a false start. What the staff sees, Harbaugh says, is elite athleticism: quick first steps, an ability to climb to the second level — traits that hint at a real upside if Johnson can adjust. For now, Johnson's biggest hurdle is the lack of consistent reps. Without them, it's hard to build comfort with the nuances beyond blocking — from pre-snap reads and protection calls to, most important, snapping. 'Not having played center before, every rep is valuable,' Johnson said. '[I'm] trying to get the reps in and fit in where I can. ... Getting snaps before practice, getting snaps after, getting snaps in my room.' Johnson's position change is also a chance for him to prove worthy of a long-term contract. The Chargers declined the former first-round pick's fifth-year option, making this the final year of his rookie contract. That decision was one of several the Chargers have made to spur improvement on the offensive line. On Sunday, the Chargers signed two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater to a four-year, $114-million extension. With Slater and right tackle Joe Alt solidifying the edges, the line's interior remains the primary concern. Mekhi Becton was the solution at right guard. The addition of Andre James briefly appeared to signal a change at center, but he hasn't taken any first-team reps and was omitted by Harbaugh when discussing competition, largely because of Bozeman's two-year, $6.5-million contract with the team. Upon his return, the front office made it clear to Bozeman that he would not only compete but also try his hand at both positions. 'From the jump, that's what we were going to be doing, we were going to be rotating and playing different positions,' Bozeman said. 'I knew I was competing to start. Always been a competitor, never backed down from a challenge.' For Bozeman, the challenge lies in re-acclimating to guard — a less daunting task for the soon-to-be 31-year-old, even though he hasn't played guard in a game in nearly five years. 'I've mixed in a little bit of guard through the last couple training camps,' Bozeman said. 'Went back and watched some old film, picked up some old tips for myself, so it's like riding a bike.' Offensive coordinator Greg Roman called the experiment 'way too early to tell how things will shake out,' but said the transition has been 'pretty seamless" so far, with the much more experienced Bozeman mentoring Johnson — despite the competition. But in just over a month, the Chargers will face a decision. They can either proceed with the experiment after a full preseason of reps — featuring an aging center making his first regular-season start at guard in years, and a guard making his first-ever regular-season start at center. Read more: With Chargers back in San Diego, players hope to win back their traditional fan base Or they could revert to last year's pairing, where both started all 17 games but struggled mightily, especially in pass protection. Bozeman and Johnson each ranked near the bottom of the league in hits, sacks and pressures allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. Even so, the staff believes the cross-training will boost the offensive line's overall versatility, regardless of how the competition plays out. With the Hall of Fame Game against the Lions in Canton, Ohio, days away, Harbaugh remains undecided on whether the starting unit will play in the preseason opener — a decision he said will be made later this week. If Johnson starts at center, he'll also continue taking snaps at guard, and Bozeman will do the same, with Harbaugh saying that's 'the best thing for our team and our offensive line. We're going to continue to cultivate that.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rashawn Slater agrees to four-year, $114-million deal with the Chargers
Rashawn Slater, a former first-round draft pick and one of the leaders on the Chargers offensive line, is staying in L.A. for the long haul. Slater has agreed to a four-year, $114-million contract extension, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Slater, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro in 2021, will be paid out $92 million guaranteed, ESPN and NFL Media reported. Read more: Is Tuli Tuipulotu the next Joey Bosa for the Chargers? Edge rusher 'does it all' Working as Justin Herbert's blindside protector, Slater started every game last season and played a valuable role in helping the Chargers set a franchise record for the fewest offensive turnovers (eight) in a season. He finished last season with the second-best overall grade and the third-best pass-blocking grade at offensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus. Slater's tireless efforts certainly won over Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has Slater in his exclusive "Elite Nine" club on the team that includes stars Khalil Mack, Derwin James Jr. and Herbert, among others. 'Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he's trying to accomplish for himself and his family,' said Harbaugh last month about Slater's push for a contract extension. 'We're all in support.' Times staff writers Sam Farmer and Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
NFL coach Jim Harbaugh reflects on White House visit
Of the seven U.S. Presidents, four First Ladies and one Pope Jim Harbaugh has been lucky enough to meet, it was Donald Trump who stood out to the second-year Los Angeles Chargers head coach – and not because of his 40-yard dash time. Speaking at the opening of Chargers training camp, the 61-year-old former NFL quarterback said it was Trump's engagement and observations that made their recent Oval Office meeting so memorable. 'He's super observant,' Harbaugh told reporters of Trump. 'Really engaged.' Harbaugh and his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, were recently spotted leaving the White House , leading to speculation the two had met with Trump. Soon after, Outkick's Clay Travis posted a photo online showing the brothers with Trump, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in the Oval Office. 'There's a lot of gratitude there to be invited to the White House to meet the president with my family, my mom and dad,' Harbaugh told reporters. 'President Trump was just great to my mom and dad. That meant so much. My brother John, his daughter Allison, my two daughters [Addison and Katherine], my sister Joanie and niece Ainsley. So there was nine of us and it was great. 'I mean, who gets invited to the White House with eight other family members and doesn't go?' Harbaugh asked. 'Nobody.' Harbaugh also said there is a 'cool factor' in meeting important people. 'Pope Francis, can't leave him out,' Harbaugh said. 'Not a president but doesn't get any higher, doesn't get any better than Pope Francis. I think seven presidents, four first ladies, I've caught 22 foul balls in games. Legit … I'm really proud of that. As for the details of the Harbaugh family meeting with Trump and Lutnick, the Chargers' head coach said it was a first-time encounter for everyone involved. And although it was intended to be brief, Trump wasn't rushing him out the door. 'Met President Trump at 4:30, 4:45, and then it was after 5, and we were still talking,' he said. 'You could tell he wasn't going to be the first to leave. I'm sure he wanted to go get dinner or something.'
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
NFL coach Jim Harbaugh: I've met seven presidents... here's why Donald Trump stood out so much
Of the seven U.S. Presidents, four First Ladies and one Pope Jim Harbaugh has been lucky enough to meet, it was Donald Trump who stood out to the second-year Los Angeles Chargers head coach – and not because of his 40-yard dash time. Speaking at the opening of Chargers training camp, the 61-year-old former NFL quarterback said it was Trump's engagement and observations that that made their recent Oval Office meeting so memorable. 'He's super observant,' Harbaugh told reporters of Trump. 'Really engaged.' Harbaugh and his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, were recently spotted leaving the White House, leading to speculation the two had met with Trump. Soon after, Outkick's Clay Travis posted a photo online showing the brothers with Trump, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in the Oval Office. 'There's a lot of gratitude there to be invited to the White House to meet the president with my family, my mom and dad,' Harbaugh told reporters. 'President Trump was just great to my mom and dad. That meant so much. My brother John, his daughter Allison, my two daughters [Addison and Katherine], my sister Joanie and niece Ainsley. So there was nine of us and it was great. 'I mean, who gets invited to the White House with eight other family members and doesn't go?' Harbaugh asked. 'Nobody.' Harbaugh also said there is a 'cool factor' in meeting important people. 'Pope Francis, can't leave him out,' Harbaugh said. 'Not a president but doesn't get any higher, doesn't get any better than Pope Francis. I think seven presidents, four first ladies, I've caught 22 foul balls in games. Legit … I'm really proud of that. 'Even though they're saying different things and believe in different things, they really believe in what they're doing, and they all care about the country,' Harbaugh continued. 'That's something that resonated. And their work ethic comes through so much.' As for the details of the Harbaugh family meeting with Trump and Lutnick, the Chargers' head coach said it was a first-time encounter for everyone involved. And although it was intended to be brief, Trump wasn't rushing him out the door. 'Met President Trump at 4:30, 4:45, and then it was after 5, and we were still talking,' he said. 'You could tell he wasn't going to be the first to leave. I'm sure he wanted to go get dinner or something.' Trump even asked about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, leading Harbaugh to say POTUS is 'very knowledgeable about all sports and especially football.'
