On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs became the first club in two decades to win consecutive Super Bowls.
Despite leading the NFL in drops, incurring an excessive number of penalties, and losing six regular-season games, the Chiefs overcame all of their challenges to win a second consecutive title. Patrick Mahomes was awarded MVP of Super Bowl LVIII after leading the club to a 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Many believe the Chiefs’ opportunity to compete for the championship will remain open for the foreseeable future. Kansas City has dominated the AFC West in recent years, winning the division for eight consecutive seasons.
Shawne Merriman, a former Chargers linebacker, announces the 60th choice in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 26, 2019, at the Draft Main Stage on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images))
Shawne Merriman, a former Chargers standout, believes Los Angeles can dethrone the Chiefs as division champions. Earlier this week, he joined on Dan Dakich of OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me” podcast to explore how incoming Chargers coach Jim Harabugh could swiftly turn around the franchise’s fortunes.
“I’ll say this, and I’m not speaking because I’m biased,” Merriman said. “There’s a new coach in town, Jim Harbaugh, in that division, and I believe the Chargers are the division to lose this year. “Not just because of Jim Harbaugh, but because of what he can do with them.”
During his inaugural press conference earlier this month, Harbaugh stated unequivocally that he is joining the Chargers to win numerous Super Bowl championships.
“There has to be multiple championships,” he told reporters. “We’re going to be humble and hungry, but that’s our goal.”
The Chiefs’ troubles throughout the regular season appeared to lend validity to the notion that another AFC club might surpass the Chiefs. Some even predicted that the 2022 season would be the best year to beat the Chiefs, but Kansas City won the Super Bowl in both years.
Chiefs player hoists the Lombardi Trophy.
Patrick Mahomes, #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs, raises the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (James Squire/Getty Images))
Merriman cited one reason why the Chiefs are almost tough to count out right now: their superstar quarterback.
“Last year, I thought was the year,” Merriman said when asked about the Chiefs’ level of vulnerability.
“Despite their dominance, Mahomes was hurt…” I’m not sure if people remember that. He had that bad foot that he was jogging around on during the AFC Championship game. And this guy went out there, iced the game with his legs. Merriman credited him for extending the drive and providing a new set of downs despite the absence of a number one wide receiver or rushing back.
“What else could possibly prevent these guys from winning?” The Buffalo Bills, in my opinion, were a superior team. The Ravens were obviously a better team. They still made it to the Super Bowl. “You can’t count them out.”
This offseason, the Chargers will have to answer a lot of questions. New general manager Joe Hortiz and the rest of the front office must decide on the future of star wide receiver Mike Williams, who has had numerous injuries in recent seasons.
The contracts of top defenders Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are also likely to be addressed this offseason. Meanwhile, starting running back Austin Eckler will become a free agent when the next league year begins in March.
The front office will also consider if it makes financial sense to sign a hefty agreement with the Chargers’ superb left tackle Rashawn Slater. With one year left on his rookie contract, the youthful star is eligible for a long-term deal. If the Chargers aren’t quite ready to provide a multiyear contract, they might exercise Slater’s fifth-year option.
During his debut season as an NFL head coach, Harbaugh did coach in a championship game. He guided the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII. The Niners ultimately lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens in that game.
Jim Harbaugh hosts a press conference.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ newly appointed head coach, Jim Harbaugh, addresses to the media during a press conference at YouTube Theater on February 1, 2024, in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images).
The events of that disastrous Super Bowl remain fresh in Harbaugh’s mind.
“There’s probably not a day that goes by that I don’t think about that game and what we could’ve done down at the end, (seven) yards away from getting into the end zone,” Harbaugh said last week in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, according to The Associated Press. “You leave that field and go; there might be other days. Then you realize that might be the only day. I just wanted to take another stab at it.”