Jim Harbaugh institutes major change to Chargers' defense compared to years past

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh gave some insight into his linebacker room after discussing the green dot signal-caller role on Monday. Previously, speculation had been that either Denzel Perryman or Daiyan Henley would handle the green dot role with Junior Colson being a rookie.

Back in May OTAs, Harbaugh said that the rookie Michigan linebacker would "probably not" wear the green dot in his first season.

On Monday, however, he revealed that it's played out differently than most could've expected. The green dot will be rotated between three players, per Harbaugh. While giving credit to the rookie performances of Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, and Junior Colson, Harbaugh happened to say this:

"Junior Colson, amount of snaps he had in the game. The rotation of the green dot, it was a three way rotation by series," Harbaugh said. "between DP (Denzel Perryman), Daiyan (Henley), and Junior (Colson). I thought they all handled it really well."

Jim Harbaugh changes Chargers' play-calling system from years past

Three different linebackers working in signal-calling is certainly different from how the Chargers have previously delegated the responsibility in the past.

Last season, Eric Kendricks started the 2023 campaign as the green dot signal caller. After he sustained an early injury, the role was handed off to Kenneth Murray. Under Brandon Staley, there was traditionally only one player who wore the dot. The concept of one linebacker or one player per game being used for signal calling predates even the previous coaching staff for Los Angeles.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper then followed up later in the media availability to confirm that it was actually three players "rotating" the green dot role. Harbaugh said again: "Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, and Junior Colson rotated the green dot."

"They rotated it by series and they did really well. All three of them handled the communication. They handled it together. It was well done," Harbaugh said.

In response to Popper then asking whether it would eventually be one person as the green dot or a continued rotation, Harbaugh said, "We'll see how that plays out." Harbaugh indicated that he "probably leans more" towards maintaining the three-man rotation going forward.

Out of the Chargers' 60 total defensive snaps on Sunday, Henley led the linebacker room on the field with 40 snaps. However, the other two linebackers received relatively similar playing time. Junior Colson and Denzel Perryman played 35 and 30 snaps respectively.

As long as the Chargers are succeeding in stopping the run as well as pass coverage from their main trio, there's no reason to fix what isn't broken. As the season progresses, we'll see how Harbaugh and LBs coach NaVorro Bowman proceed with their core group from week to week.