Shawne Merriman says the Chargers knocked it out of the park with their Jim Harbaugh rent … telling TMZ Sports activities he believes his ex-team now has a sense of, “‘Hey, we will exit and win a championship now!’”

The previous cross rusher was fired up after we spoke with him shortly after the Bolts named the ex-Michigan coach their new head man … explaining to us he thinks L.A. is now a real-deal Tremendous Bowl contender.

Merriman says the roster Harbaugh is inheriting is “essentially the most proficient workforce to by no means make the playoffs” … and he is anticipating a turnaround to occur comparatively swiftly.

“If I am Jim Harbaugh, I am licking my chops,” Merriman stated. “I am strolling in there someday like someone simply handed me the keys to a Ferrari and I am about to slam on the gasoline, proper?”

As for the match, Merriman beforehand expressed issues about Harbaugh’s means to attach with younger gamers at 60 years previous … but it surely appears these qualms have been squashed for the reason that hiring course of formally kicked off a couple of weeks in the past.

“It is only a match made in heaven,” he stated. “I do not assume there might’ve been extra of an ideal storm.”

Merriman additionally expressed gratitude that his former workforce handed on the chance to signal Invoice Belichick … believing the match simply would not have labored within the Metropolis of Angels.

In the meantime, as Merriman waits for the Harbaugh tenure to formally start later this 12 months … he is obtained his fingers full along with his Lights Out Xtreme Preventing league, which is about to host a significant occasion on Feb. 16 — one which Merriman says Harbaugh will certainly get free tickets to if he needs ’em!