In the recent season-ending press conference, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh dropped plenty of noteworthy nuggets. Some included wanting the pondering-retirement Khalil Mack back. Another was how the Chargers feel so ahead of schedule.

The Chargers’ head coach was right to stand up for his quarterback again Wednesday: “He’s the opposite of a house plant. He’s field corn.”

1. Harbaugh and Hortiz passionately defended Justin Herbert when they were asked about the criticism of their quarterback in the aftermath of Saturday’s loss in Houston. Herbert threw a career-high four interceptions. Harbaugh called the criticism “completely unfair.”