NFL Rumors: Ravens' Joe Hortiz to Be Named Chargers GM After Jim Harbaugh HC Hire

After hiring Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach, the Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly found their next general manager as well.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chargers "are working to hire" Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz to their GM position.

Hortiz has been a member of the Ravens organization since 1998 when he began his career as a personnel assistant. He held multiple scouting positions before being promoted to director of player personnel in 2019 under general manager Eric DeCosta, who replaced Pro Football Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome that same year.

Hortiz will be replacing Tom Telesco, who was fired in December along with former head coach Brandon Staley amid the Chargers' disappointing season. Harbaugh, who was one of the most coveted coaches on the market after leading Michigan to a national championship this season, was hired to replace Staley last week.

Hortiz and Harbaugh will be taking over a Chargers team that finished last in the AFC West with a 5-12 record. Los Angeles particularly struggled on defense, ranking 28th with 362.9 yards allowed per game. The team will have the fifth pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

In addition to the holes to fill on defense, Hortiz will have his work cut out for him to keep the talented offense around star quarterback Justin Herbert intact. Star receiver Keenan Allen is entering the final year of his contract, and running back Austin Ekeler played the 2023 season on a one-year deal following contentious contract negotiations last offseason.

Still, the hiring of Hortiz and Harbaugh should provide the Chargers with optimism going forward.