Jim Harbaugh’s $45 Million Salary Cap Crunch Will Test His Brother’s Praise

When the smoke cleared after the 2023 NFL regular season, the LA Chargers seemed like the most desirable location. While there’s something to be said about leading a rebuild, the modern game is all about quarterbacks. Joining up with Justin Herbert immediately addresses that concern. Now, the Chargers have made their pick from the available candidates and chose Jim Harbaugh.

On Wednesday, multiple sources, including Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, reported that the AFC West club and the coach were working toward a union. And after some winks and nudges on social media, the club confirmed the hiring.

Again, having Herbert on the roster immediately makes things easier. The quarterback may not be perfect, but he is talented and has plenty of professional experience under his belt; he’s also under contract, making it clear that he’s the franchise cornerstone.

But easier doesn’t mean things will be a walk in the park. In fact, Harbaugh is walking into a salary cap situation that will immediately test his team-building chops.

Let’s break things down.

Harbaugh Immediately Faces a Salary Cap Crunch

When you think of an NFL coach’s job, it’s easy to focus on the X’s and O’s. What do they do in practice and on Sunday to get the win? And while that does matter, having a good roster is a key part of the equation.

In Los Angeles, that’s a challenge Harbaugh will have to immediately address. The club, according to Over the Cap’s numbers, is about $45 million north of the 2024 salary cap. Things get even worse, however, when you consider effective cap space, which accounts for the top-51 players and the projected rookie class. There, the Bolts are projected to be roughly $55 million over the limit.

It goes without saying that represents a problem for any head coach, especially a new one. Harbaugh will want to bring in players that he feels can execute his vision, but LA has to worry about simply reaching compliance first. Being able to add players will require further penny-pinching.

And although contract restructuring can be somewhat of a cheat code, the Chargers do have to make some decisions regarding their big-name players. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Khalil Mack, all of whom account for more than $30 million apiece against the 2024 cap, will be entering the last year of their respective contracts. Do you decide to move on early, trying to save the money and get some assets in return? Or do you decide that the roster needs that level of talent, regardless of the risks?

Joey Bosa can also be lumped in with that group, although his contract doesn’t expire until 2026. The pass-rusher is undeniably talented, but maybe his recent injuries (he played five games in 2022 and nine in 2023) make him the cap casualty.

And remember, we’re only talking about players who are still under contract. Austin Ekeler is a free agent and center Corey Linsley is probably retiring. The latter missed most of the season, but they’re still a reminder that the Chargers don’t just have to save money. They have to save money while trying to complete a competitive roster. Even if you were to move someone like Williams or Allen, you’re not going to compete in the AFC without replacing his talent.

At least part of that responsibility will fall on Harbaugh. Beyond the fact that he’s now the head coach, the Chargers are yet to find a general manager. That eventual employee won’t take the job without some personnel authority, but the fact that Harbaugh came first suggests he’ll hold a great deal of power within the organization.

John Harbaugh Thinks Jim Is an Elite Team-Builder

Based on the Chargers salary-cap situation, Jim Harbaugh will be staring down a big-time challenge before he sets foot on the sidelines. If you take his brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, at his word, though, that shouldn’t be a problem.

“It’s the same coach that he’s always been,” John explained on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Same person he’s always been since he was a kid. He’s a high-character, high-energy believer. You know, he’s a true believer in the things that go into building a team.

“He’s one of the best team-builders, he may be the best team-builder in football right now. Nobody builds a team better. I mean, he knows how to put it together, top to bottom. He knows how to include people, and he knows how to make them a part of it. He knows how to empower people. He’s a great football coach. He believes in football. He believes in playing football the right way, the fundamental way. You can’t fake it. And that’s one thing about Jim, he’s true.”

And while he may be a bit biased toward his brother, that’s certainly a big-time endorsement from a successful NFL coach. The test, however, will be how Jim can mesh the “softer” side of things, like including people, with the dollars and cents. Given the Chargers’ cap situation, some concessions might have to be made.

Now, we’ll just have to wait and see if Jim can back it all up.