Jim Harbaugh’s Surprising Twist on Scouting Chargers’ Rookies Could Change Everything

Before the Chargers start dreaming about Super Bowl rings sparkling with diamonds, coach Jim Harbaugh has his eyes fixed on uncovering those elusive gems right on the practice field. It’s not about instant glory or flashy plays—no, this is about peeling back layers to find raw, uncut talent that most would overlook. “Rare gems, they don’t just hop out of the ground and into your pocket,” Harbaugh mused as the team kicked off their rookie minicamp last Friday. “You gotta dig.” And dig they shall.

This rookie minicamp isn’t your run-of-the-mill drill fest with scrimmages blazing from start to finish. Instead, Harbaugh is shaking things up, sidelining most traditional 11-on-11 sessions to focus on sharp, position-specific individual drills. Why? Because spotting pure skill matters more than memorizing plays when trying to revive a team hungry to end a six-year drought without a playoff win. It’s a fresh approach—almost experimental—but one designed to offer a fair, unfiltered view of what each prospect really brings to the table.

With nine draft picks freshly inked and a sea of undrafted hopefuls battling to seize a chance, the pressure’s on like never before. It’s a high-stakes treasure hunt, and Harbaugh is leading the charge, convinced that the gold lies beneath the surface, waiting to be mined.

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The system, which Harbaugh admitted he has never tried before, is intended to provide a fair way for rookies to compete while also letting the staff see each player’s pure talent.Read more: Chargers 2025 NFL draft: A close look at their nine draft picksDespite Johnson’s inexperience at the position, his technique is impeccable, Harbaugh gushed. The snaps are popping off his hand, and the 25-year-old is one of the team’s most athletic and intelligent offensive linemen.

Despite Johnson’s inexperience at the position, his technique is impeccable, Harbaugh gushed. The snaps are popping off his hand, and the 25-year-old is one of the team’s most athletic and intelligent offensive linemen.

Despite Johnson’s inexperience at the position, his technique is impeccable, Harbaugh gushed. The snaps are popping off his hand, and the 25-year-old is one of the team’s most athletic and intelligent offensive linemen.

Despite Johnson’s inexperience at the position, his technique is impeccable, Harbaugh gushed. The snaps are popping off his hand, and the 25-year-old is one of the team’s most athletic and intelligent offensive linemen.

Despite Johnson’s inexperience at the position, his technique is impeccable, Harbaugh gushed. The snaps are popping off his hand, and the 25-year-old is one of the team’s most athletic and intelligent offensive linemen.

Read more: Chargers believe patience helped them win big with picks Tre’ Harris and Jamaree CaldwellAdvertisementThe transition to the NFL has already delivered several surreal moments for Kennard. The Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year heard his name called as a fourth-round pick, then soon got a text from Chargers star edge rusher Khalil Mack.The change comes at a critical time during Johnson’s career. The Chargers didn’t pick up the 2021 first-round pick’s fifth-year option, leaving him to potentially prove himself at a brand new position.Before the Chargers put diamonds in any Super Bowl rings, Jim Harbaugh is looking for diamonds on the practice field.