Midweek honors and a lopsided victory have the Los Angeles Chargers buzzing as they prepare to face rookie quarterback Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans in Week 9.
On Wednesday, the franchise surprised head coach Jim Harbaugh by naming him its 2025 Salute to Service Award nominee—an accolade that “recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff, and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities.”
Active-duty members from Los Angeles Air Force Base delivered the news in person, a moment the team captured and shared online.
“big salute to coach,” the Chargers posted on X.
Fans can now vote for the award’s finalists.
The recognition comes on the heels of a 37-10 rout of Carson Wentz and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, pushing Los Angeles to 5-3 on the season. Justin Herbert’s offense, currently fourth in the league in total yards (378.5 per game) and passing yards (255.4), powered the blowout and has the unit firing on all cylinders.
Harbaugh, fresh off a 2024 national championship with Michigan, guided the Chargers to 11-5 and the playoffs in his debut NFL season last year. Now in year two, he’s chasing an even deeper run.
Across his NFL head-coaching career, Harbaugh has compiled a 60-28-1 regular season record and a 5-4 postseason mark. His first stint with the San Francisco 49ers (2011–2014) produced a 44-19-1 regular-season ledger, three NFC Championship appearances, and a Super Bowl XLVII berth. After returning to the league with the Chargers in 2024, he has gone 16-10 through the first 26 games, including playoffs.
The upcoming matchup marks Ward’s first career encounter with the Chargers’ revamped defense, which has climbed into the top ten for points allowed per game. Tennessee’s offense, leaning heavily on the dual-threat rookie, will test a secondary that forced three turnovers against Minnesota. Ward’s arm talent and mobility have already produced highlight-reel plays, but road games remain a proving ground for the first overall selection.
A victory Sunday would mark the Chargers’ first two-game win streak since early September and keep them firmly in the AFC West conversation. With Herbert distributing to a deep receiver corps and a defensive front generating consistent pressure, Los Angeles carries both confidence and momentum into Nashville.
Kickoff against Ward and the Titans is set for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
