Jim Harbaugh has guided the LA Chargers to the NFL playoffs after dismantling the New England Patriots, while earning himself a whopping bonus in the process.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for a season-high 281 yards and three touchdowns as the Chargers cruised to a 40-7 victory over the Patriots in Foxborough, a victory that officially clinched their postseason berth.
Doing so means Harbaugh, who just moved to Los Angeles earlier this year, becomes the first head coach in the Super Bowl era to lead two teams back to the playoffs in his first season after they had been eliminated. lost due to losing records the previous year. .
He previously accomplished that feat in 2011 after reaching the NFC title game with the San Francisco 49ers.
This time, however, Harbaugh has not only resurrected a team's fortunes on the field, he has earned one off it as well.
According ESPN's Adam Schefterthe 61-year-old activated a $1 million bonus in his contract with the Chargers after making the playoffs.
Jim Harbaugh has racked up a $1 million bonus after leading the LA Chargers to the playoffs
Harbaugh and the Chargers officially made the postseason after a 40-7 victory over the Patriots.
The team missed a playoff spot last season after going 5-12 and finishing fourth in the AFC West, a torrid run of form that resulted in Harbaugh's predecessor, Tom Telesco, being fired in December of last year. .
For Harbaugh, a formidable debut season in Los Angeles will bring the fourth postseason appearance of his five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his time with the 49ers.
“You talk to them and there's more to do,” he said after the playoff-clinching win against New England.
'There is no coach who could have better results than coaching these players. No one. Maybe the only person who would be our future, could have it better than us.'
History was also made in Foxborough by Herbert, who finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
“We had a good opportunity tonight and we came out and took advantage of it,” the quarterback said. 'We had a good plan. All week we knew how important this game was to us. The guys were attentive, focused and we executed today.”