Jim Harbaugh had a realization not too long ago.
While joining The Rich Eisen Show last week in studio, the Chargers Head Coach said something that recently came to mind one morning — and it revolved around quarterback Justin Herbert.
"I woke up the other day and said, 'I got to get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame. Must get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame,'" Harbaugh said to Eisen.
"It's one of those things you wake up at 3:30, 4 in the morning," Harbaugh added. "Sometimes that's when your best ideas come."
Harbaugh, who has praised his quarterback since arriving in Los Angeles, knows a lot will need to happen to eventually reach that point.
Of course, reaching the heights of the Hall of Fame would require a lot of accolades, but Harbaugh is determined to do what he can to try and make it happen.
"You kind of process that, that would mean winning a couple of Super Bowls and a lot of people would benefit from that," Harbaugh said. "That's a worthy goal, and I think it's necessary we get him surrounded with as many good football players to his level as possible."
You could see that in action most recently with the 2025 NFL Draft approach, as the Bolts were able to add a number of offensive skill players that will help Herbert in a variety of ways.
It started with No. 22 overall pick Omarion Hampton, the dynamic running back out of North Carolina who brings with him a big-play ability in the backfield.
Harbaugh talked about the first-round pick lauding not only what he showed as a player, but as a person as well.
"Fired up about him," Harbaugh said about Hampton. "The ability to be a 4-down back, the way he can catch the ball out of the backfield, the way he pass protects, the way he kind of puts his team on his shoulders. NFL ready back, all boxes checked.
"Everybody you talk to about through this young man's entire life has nothing but glowing things to say," Harbaugh continued. "They'll roll up in their chair, 'Let me tell you about Omarion Hampton. He's the best player I've ever coached.'"
"We were pretty darn shocked he was there at 22 and we made the decision," Harbaugh added.
The Chargers didn't stop there in adding some offensive firepower, adding a pair of receivers in second rounder Tre Harris and fifth rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith to go along with tight end Oronde Gadsden II.
Then there's Ladd McConkey, the Chargers' record-breaking receiver as a rookie who built quite the connection with Herbert in a season and now enters his second season as an ascending player.
When asked by Eisen what's the expectation in Year 2, the Chargers Head Coach was straightforward.
"Pretty high," Harbaugh said. "He's shown that and proven that."
Those high expectations apply for the rest of the team as well, as Harbaugh is fired up for Year 2.
"He developed an incredible rapport with Justin last season, had a tremendous season," Harbaugh added. "Just excited for our team and pretty much every guy on it.
"I think it's going to be pretty good," Harbaugh added. "I think we're going to be tough to beat."
