Chargers News: Shawne Merriman Believes Jim Harbaugh-Era Bolts Can Top AFC West

Shawne Merriman delivers a hot take that the Chargers can top the AFC West next season.

The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new era, and that will be led by new head coach Jim Harbaugh. There is a lot of hope for what Harbaugh can do for the team, but there are many who believe he will turn the team into an AFC giant immediately. 

The Chargers' biggest competition in its own division, as it is home to the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Chiefs put their skill on full display when they secured their third Super Bowl ring in the last five years, and they are favored to secure the first-ever three-peat championship run. 

Despite the Chiefs being a good team, many are buying into the Harbaugh-led Chargers already. 

Legendary Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman believes his former team is poised to not only hit the playoffs, but they will challenge the reign of the Chiefs. 

"I'll say this, and I'm not speaking because I'm biased," Merriman began. "There's a new coach in town in Jim Harbaugh in that division and really believe that it's really the Chargers division to lose coming into this year. Not just because (of) Jim Harbaugh, but because of what he's capable of doing with them."

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Shawne Merriman, Catch Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich

Harbaugh has made every single team that he has led into a tough and physical team, and that is a huge element that has been missing from the Chargers. If they can establish a run game, it will open possibilities for Justin Herbert to land the big-time throws. 

The same can be said for the defense. Khalil Mack may have secured a career-high 17 sacks, but he was alone in terms of defensive playmakers. 

The Chargers will need a lot to turn the team into something that can rival the Chiefs. However, we also believe Harbaugh is the right kind of coach to turn this team around.