‘What ifs’ are a really fun concept until they start getting pretty unrealistic, like what if the Los Angeles Chargers win the Super Bowl this season? That just does not sound right (based on their odds (+4000), they have just a 2.4% chance of winning the Super Bowl). But Jim Harbaugh is not delusional; He is a pretty reasonable man, with a tinge of sarcasm to go with it. So when he made his way to Bill Belichick’s podcast, he made some pretty honest (and funny) statements.

Harbaugh was on the ‘Let’s GO! Podcast’, where he let Belichick know how lucky students would be to join the University of North Carolina. That’s where Belichick coaches. He stated:

“You [Belichick] are the GOAT. And the greatest of all time… And I am so excited for the young men that get to go to North Carolina and get to train, the knowledge, what an unbelievably fabulous thing. I mean, I don’t have a son. But I’ll have one for you in a few years. But as a parent, they would have an opportunity to play for Bill Belichick. It could not get any better.”

“Thank you, what you have done for the game of football. Thank you for what you have done for the profession of coaching football.”

Here’s the thing: What if? Now, Harbaugh has seven children. While some of them are in their late 20s and 30s, Jack Harbaugh, whom Jim and Sarah welcomed in 2012, is 13-years-old. Yes, he loves football. In February 2019, the proud father posted a photo with Jack, who was wearing a Tom Brady jersey while attending a football game. “Jack is my GOAT!” Harbaugh wrote.

Then, in 2017, Jim and Sarah also had John Paul Harbaugh. It seems like Jim Harbaugh would love for his sons to play under Bill Belichick. But hey, the legendary coach is already 72 and has a five-year contract with UNC. While it’ll be difficult for this to happen, Belichick was surely happy to hear this.

Big Bill chuckled. What else was there to do? The guy knows his stature in the game, but there’s no ego about it—just a quiet confidence. “Thanks, Jim. I appreciate that. That means a lot, really does. Thank you.” Classic Bill, right? A man of few words but all the gravitas.

Now, let’s talk about Harbaugh. Sure, he could have gone with Michigan for his hypothetical protégé. After all, the school has got Juan Castillo in the mix now as the new analyst—a guy with decades of NFL street cred. Castillo’s resume? It’s a playbook of excellence: O-line coach during Andy Reid’s Eagles glory days, five NFC Championship appearances, and stints with both Harbaugh brothers. Jim? John? Doesn’t matter—Castillo’s been on their teams and in their trenches.

But here’s the kicker—Jim Harbaugh is not just about hypotheticals. While he is out here speculating about future college stars, the man has got more immediate challenges. Like, oh, I don’t know, attacking the last game of the regular season, head-first?

See, a win over the Pats helped the Chargers claw into the postseason. But if there’s still some fight left in them, then they can get that fifth seed. Sure, it depends on the Pittsburgh-Cincy game as well, but LA must do what it can.

Jim Harbaugh listens to the ‘man with a plan’!

The playoffs are locked, but the Chargers still have work to do. Jim Harbaugh isn’t here to settle for just any seed. The Bolts could snag the fifth spot if the Bengals do their part and take down the Steelers. You’re probably thinking, ‘Does it even matter?’ Oh, it does! The fifth seed means a dance with the Texans instead of potentially suffering from Purple Pain. Trust me, the stakes are high.

On the Let’s Go Podcast, Harbaugh kept it as cryptic as ever when asked about resting starters for week 18 against the Raiders. But then he dropped the line: “The plan for us is to win.” And when Bill Belichick—yes, that Bill—agreed, you know it’s not just coach-talk. Belichick said it best: you can’t tell one guy to sit while another suits up. It’s about keeping the rhythm alive, right? And Chargers fans still remember that Denver debacle when playing starters backfired. Nobody wants another Mike Williams situation, do they?

Still, Harbaugh’s history suggests he knows what he’s doing. Remember his Niners days? Playing for something was always the mantra, even when the playoffs were clinched. Now, it’s about balancing risk and reward. Starters might get some action, but don’t be surprised if Taylor Heinicke takes a few snaps. Harbaugh’s focus? Winning, yes, but also surviving the chaos of January football intact.

The playoff picture may depend on a few dominoes falling, but Harbaugh’s Chargers are looking to control what they can. Beat the Raiders, hope for a little Bengals magic, and set their sights on Houston. Because once the postseason kicks off, it’s win or go home—and the Chargers know exactly which side they want to be on.