Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman talks Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, suggests splash hire for defensive coordinator

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Former NFL star Shawne Merriman hoped the Los Angeles Chargers would go after Jim Harbaugh instead of Bill Belichick, and he got his wish this week as the Michigan head coach landed with the NFL team.

Harbaugh agreed to become the Chargers’ next head coach, replacing Brandon Staley as the team finished with a 5-12 record and in last place in the AFC West. Harbaugh gets to take over an underachieving team and have them compete in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

Merriman, who played for the Chargers when they were in San Diego, told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that Harbaugh to the Chargers was a no-brainer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Jim Harbaugh (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

"The truth is, it almost was the only way to go. It was too many things that made sense," the three-time Pro Bowler said. "One, him playing for the Chargers, having a relationship with the Chargers already. Jim Harbaugh has been very vocal about what he thinks about Justin Herbert and his capabilities; he thinks he’s a great quarterback."

"And then vice versa, Jim Harbaugh was looking to make that jump to the NFL. So, what better jump to make than you’re walking into a team that’s already established. It’s got superstars that just underperformed last year. This was just an underperforming team because of the lack of leadership, and now they got it."

Merriman said the Chargers need to bolster the defense and the next coach needs to establish an identity on that side of the ball. Los Angeles was 24th in points allowed and 28th in yards allowed in 2023.

REPORT: FALCONS SET TO HIRE RAHEEM MORRIS AS HEAD COACH DESPITE