El SEGUNDO, Calif. -- There was a lot of head-shaking and plain looks on the Chargers players as they cleaned out their lockers because their season was over.
It is over before they thought it would be— they believed the sky was the limit.
Why? Because of the confidence that Jim Harbaugh and his staff instilled in the team.
Brandon Sloter - The Sporting Tribune
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers walks on the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Yes, they only beat one team with a winning record, the Denver Broncos, but they beat all the teams they should have, which wasn't possible until this season.
They were less than 24 hours removed from being bounced out of the playoffs in a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans. It was ugly.
Even after that, players were already talking about next season and how confident they were about the franchise's future under Harbaugh.
"I'm just confident because I know that the men that we have leading this team, the coaches that we have, Coach Harbaugh gave us something to lay our hat on," safety Derwin James said. "I know that they're going to work their tail off. We're going to work as players to get better. I know that next year we're going to come back even stronger."
Several players will be hitting free agency, but one name that has questions about whether he wants to return is edge rusher Khalil Mack.
The real question is, does Mack still want to play football?
"Man, it's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now," Mack, 33, said. "I can't really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I'm going to do because I don't know if I'm going to play football moving forward, so there's some things I got to talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss."
Mack had a similar moment in 2023 after the horrendous loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round of the playoffs. He questioned whether his heart was still in it.
He will take some time to discuss it with his wife and family, who, in 2023, told him he still had juice left.
The former Raiders and Bears edge rusher has brought value to the team since he was traded for in 2022. In 50 games with the Chargers, he has 31 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and 110 tackles.
This team will need his leadership moving forward. If GM Joe Hortiz upgrades the defensive line, it could help Mack get to the quarterback even faster.
James, a team captain, wants the star edge rusher back in 2025.
"I told him we want him back, we need him back," James said.
On Sunday morning, Mack told reporters that he believes in the project that Harbaugh and Hortiz are building in LA.
"As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback. You got Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football. And Jim Harbaugh coaching?" Mack said. "You know you always have a chance to win. Yeah, that's a no-brainer."
Speaking of Herbert, the Chargers quarterback has caught some heat nationally because of his four interceptions on Saturday. To be honest, that was probably his worst performance as a football player.
Herbert has never thrown more than two interceptions in a game, and if he did, it went along with two touchdowns or a game-changing performance. He was under duress and made some bad throws. He even said it after the game, shouldering the loss.
Brandon Sloter - the Sporting Tribune
Denico Autry #96 of the Houston Texans sacks Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Mack wasn't having the heat thrown his quarterback's way.
"Who gives a f— about what anybody has to say about that guy," Mack said. "Nobody knows what he went through this year."
It was a challenging year for Herbert on the field, having to adjust to a whole new offense and losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, so it was a lot.
His only reliable weapon was rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who had 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns.
James also came to his quarterback's defense.
"Man, he doesn't deserve it," James said. "We wouldn't be in this position without him in this season, I feel like every game he's given us a chance to be in these games. Like I said, I wouldn't have any other quarterback. I love him as a player and a brother. I know he's going to work his tail off, and I'm going to be right there with him."
Both players believe that Herbert will be back motivated next season.
"We win as a team, we lose as a team," Mack said. "One game doesn't erase what Justin's done for us."
One key mystery this season was that of cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and why he played the first four games and then was put on IR and never returned.
Samuel spoke to the media on Sunday morning and said a collision during practice caused him to have recurring "stinger symptoms," so it was best for him to get that taken care of and not risk it. He said the injury pertains to something he was born with both shoulders.
"Out of my 20 years of playing, I never missed a season like this, more than two or three games or four games, so it was definitely tough just not being out there with my brothers," Samuel said. "It was hurtful not to be out there."
He is set to hit free agency in 2025 but says he would like to return.
"I love the Chargers, and it's a great organization headed in the right direction," he said. "I hope I'll be able to come back."
The Chargers made two underrated free agency signings in the offseason: running back JK Dobbins and defensive tackle Poona Ford.
Dobbins rushed for 905 yards on 195 carries for a 4.6 yards per carry average and scored nine touchdowns. At 26 years old, Horitz should make it a priority for him to return.
"I love it here. The 'Bolt Fam' has welcomed me with open arms," Dobbins said. "They love me even people counted me out. I would love to be here. Only God could say what happens in the future, but I would love to be here."
Ford tallied 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five passes defended, three sacks, and one interception. He was a great find by Hortiz and Harbaugh, so he should be a priority along with fellow defensive tackle Teair Tart.
"We will see where the chips fall," Ford said.
The Chargers will have to make some decisions similar to last season. They do have significantly more cap space, $77 million, compared to last season's $44 million, but there will be changes to improve the team.
First and foremost, the interior of the offensive line, skill positions, and cornerback should be a priority. They will also need to make decisions on Joey Bosa, Alohi Gilman, and Trey Pipkins, who are due big money.
They didn't finish the season the way they wanted, but it is only year one under Harbaugh, and the team should improve this offseason.