ESPN Chargers insider Kris Rhim fired off a lengthy question that struck a nerve with Harbaugh. Rhim clearly questioned why Herbert still has to play “Superman” for the Bolts to win, prompting Harbaugh to defend his quarterback.

“Yeah, that just sounds more like an insult than it does a question, but if that’s the way you look at it,” Harbaugh began. He then described Herbert’s grit based on what he’s seen, despite the media criticism.

“I’m saying that it’s the kind of competitor that he is where I’ve never seen him flinch. I’ve never seen him rattled,” Harbaugh added. “He’s an amazing inspiration and that’s what we do. We all feed off of that. I know the entire team does.”

Herbert’s performance

Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, but he was sacked four times during the game. He could have suffered a fifth sack had DeMarcus Lawrence not hit Herbert too low on a play, allowing the quarterback to escape. He also threw two interceptions in the contest, one of which occurred while under pressure.

Under pressure, Herbert completed 7 of 13 passes for 101 yards, an impressive figure given that he “was pressured on 55 percent of his dropbacks, the second-highest pressure rate he has faced since the start of last season,” according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com. Offensive linemen Cole Strange and Jake Slaughter each allowed six pressures on the quarterback.

Herbert has been sacked 12 times in four games, tying the league mark. This raises questions about his performance, following inconsistencies and a lack of execution with the ball.

Performance has not improved under Harbaugh

One detail is that Herbert has dealt with the most sacks, being the second-most-sacked quarterback in the NFL in the last two seasons combined, with the number being a staggering 95. This stat makes more sense, as Harbaugh was hired in 2024, with the sacks stat continuously increasing since then.

Key takeaways

• An 0-4 record leaves the Los Angeles Chargers winless following a Week 4 loss.
• 19 of 31 passes were completed by Justin Herbert for 189 yards against Seattle.
• 95 sacks over two combined seasons rank as second-most in the league.

“It was one of the grittiest performances I’ve ever been associated with from a quarterback,” Harbaugh said to the press after losing vs Seattle Seahawks. “When I say the fight out of our entire team was good, I think that’s epitomized by Justin. There’s no player I’ve ever coached that I respect more, or love the way he competes more, than Justin Herbert.”

Harbaugh has already predicted that Herbert could become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and now it is time for him to prove it. Unfortunately for the QB, things have not been going his way, but his coach appreciates the attitude he has shown throughout the situation.

“The grit, the competitiveness, the fight, the skill is what I admire,” Harbaugh also added. “We’ll take this team and keep fighting. Keep fighting, keep growing, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Things aren’t going the Chargers’ way

The Chargers have stumbled out of the gate in 2026, dropping their first four regular-season games to the Arizona Cardinals (26-14), Las Vegas Raiders (26-14), Buffalo Bills (24-16), and Seattle Seahawks (30-23). Amid the team’s early struggles, Justin Herbert has completed 71 of 119 passes (59.7%) for 816 yards, throwing 4 touchdowns against 6 interceptions.

While he has added 88 yards on the ground across 18 carries, turning over the ball six times total (including a lost fumble) and suffering 12 sacks through four weeks has kept Herbert and the Chargers’ offense from finding any consistent rhythm.

What’s next for LA?

The Los Angeles Chargers will look to get their season back on track over their next three matchups. On top of their struggles on the field, this team also faces one of the toughest schedules in the league.

• Week 5: vs Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA) – Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO) – Sunday, October 18, 2026
• Week 7: Bye Week
• Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA) – Sunday, November 1, 2026

Key takeaways

• Winless 0-4 start marks the Los Angeles Chargers’ ongoing regular season struggles.
• Jim Harbaugh praised Justin Herbert for delivering one of his grittiest quarterback performances.
• 816 passing yards and four touchdowns reflect Herbert’s statistical output through four games.

“I’m not deterred,” Harbaugh said, via ESPN. “No one in that locker room is deterred.” Those words include Herbert himself, who, following the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, made it clear that there is no more room for error.

“There’s no time for us to be patient with how we’re playing,” Herbert said. “It’s not good enough, so we have to be better.” The frustration is evident among the Bolts, but the only way forward is to keep working and turn things around on the field.

One noteworthy detail is that the Chargers have failed to make the most of playing at home. They lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener and then suffered the aforementioned defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders. SoFi Stadium is clearly no longer a fortress for this team.

Chargers’ biggest weaknesses

The Chargers have stumbled out of the gate to an ugly 0-2, and the stats paint a pretty grim picture of why. The offense has completely lacked punch, averaging a 14 points per game and putting up a measly 268 total yards in their Week 1 loss to Arizona.

Justin Herbert hasn’t had much breathing room or rhythm, getting sacked three times in the opener while the ground game has averaged under 4 yards per carry. To make matters worse, ball security has been a massive killer— Omarion Hampton has coughed up crucial fumbles in back-to-back weeks, including a late, game-clinching turnover against the Raiders.

Combine those self-inflicted mistakes with a leaky secondary that allowed 393 total yards to the Cardinals and gave up three passing TDs to Kirk Cousins in Week 2, and L.A. has simply been shooting itself in the foot on both sides of the ball.

A daunting schedule ahead

The Chargers have a tough road ahead as they look to turn around their negative start. First, they head out on the road to take on the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium on Sunday, September 27.

They stay on the road the following week, traveling up to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 4. Finally, they return home to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, October 11 for a crucial division matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Key takeaways

• 0-2 start marks the Los Angeles Chargers’ winless opening record this season.
• Jim Harbaugh stated he is not deterred despite the team’s early losses.
• Justin Herbert declared that the squad has no room for error after recent losses.

“The Giants are signing CB Nikko Reed from the Chargers practice squad,” Jordan Raanan ofESPN’s NFL Nation reported. While Reed was a practice squad member on Harbaugh’s Chargers, he is jumping right into the active roster of Harbaugh’s Giants. One man’s loss is another man’s gain, even when the two men involved are siblings.

“Reed lands on the Giants active roster with them short on healthy cornerbacks. Paulson Adebo didn’t practice Thursday. Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome were limited,” Raanan stated. Short on options at cornerback, the Giants wasted no time bringing in reinforcements to East Rutherford before taking on a stacked, desperate-to-get-back-on-track Rams‘ offense.

Desperate times require desperate solutions, like a neighbor asking for a spare hammer or ladder to change a lightbulb. John Harbaugh resorted to his brother Jim Harbaugh’s team for a stopgap addition at cornerback. This time around, the older brother didn’t ask; he simply swooped in and snatched a cornerback, taking Reed back with him to New York.

Peculiar schedule for Reed

With the Giants heading for Los Angeles on Saturday and Reed’s signing coming on Thursday, the 23-year-old cornerback will be in for a busy schedule, flying from LAX to the Big Apple only to fly back to the City of Angels in a matter of hours.

In the NFL, adventures like this are commonplace, and in order to survive in an ever-changing landscape, players must adapt in a heartbeat, especially an undrafted player like Reed, who is still trying to make a name for himself. Clearly, he’s someone the Harbaugh household is familiar with.

After some time with Jim in Los Angeles, Reed will experience life with John in New York. Though some stability would be nice, there are far worse places to call home and worse coaches to have as a boss in the NFL.

Reed’s stats

Coming off of college, where he played for the Colorado Buffaloes (2021-2022) and Oregon Ducks (2023-2024), Reed signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2025 NFL season. He made the 53-man active roster and appeared in five games before being shut down with a hamstring injury.

Last season, Reed recorded 2 total tackles and one pass deflection. His highlight came in the preseason, when he recorded an interception in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game. Reed hasn’t played in an NFL game since Dec. 27, 2025.

“Allow me to call my shot, like Babe Ruth pointing his bat over to centerfield: Justin Herbert, when it’s all said and done, when his career comes to an end, I predict he will be known as the greatest, best ever to play the position of quarterback,” the head coach said on The White House with Michael Irvin.

Harbaugh also added: “When it’s all said and done, and his career is finished, we’re going to look back and say, ‘Yep, that’s the best that ever did it.’” It is clear that the coaching staff’s confidence in their star quarterback remains intact. The only question now is whether Herbert can ultimately back it up on the field.

Herbert’s numbers since entering the NFL

Since landing in the NFL as the Chargers‘ 6th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, Justin Herbert has been an absolute absolute gun thrower. Through six seasons, he’s already racked up 24,820 passing yards, 163 touchdowns, and 58 interceptions with a crisp 66.5% completion rate.

Statistically, his pinnacle single-game masterpiece came in Week 5 of the 2021 season against the Cleveland Browns: in a wild 47-42 shootout victory, Herbert put on a clinic, throwing for 398 passing yards and 4 touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. That same year, he dropped his best overall season to date, lighting up defenses for 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, cementing his place as one of the premier arm talents in the league.

Harbaugh and the Chargers’ first challenges of 2026

Jim Harbaugh’s squad is gearing up for a physical five-game gauntlet to set the tone for their season. They open up with back-to-back home games at SoFi Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals and a division rivalry clash with the Las Vegas Raiders.

After that warm-up at home, things get extremely physical on the road with back-to-back trips to face the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks at two of the league’s toughest venues. They close out this opening stretch back in LA with another high-stakes AFC West matchup against the Denver Broncos before heading into their early divisional battle with Kansas City Chiefs.

Popper not only assured that Mitchell is a great fit for the Chargers, but also that the “acceleration and threatening speed to the edge will thrive” under the McDaniel scheme. Mitchell’s skill set compares to what McDaniel had in Miami with De’Von Achane, albeit with far lesser production.

Still, Mitchell had 341 yards averaging a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. Achane averaged a 5.7 yards per attempt, which led the NFL in players with more than 6.25 rushes per game. Hence, now they have an explosive player ready to roll.

Mitchell will be RB2 though

Despite all the buzz around his signing, it’s still expected that Mitchell will serve as the second back on the team, with Omarion Hampton carrying the bigger workload. Hampton is a more physical, straight runner than Mitchell.

Hampton is a more complete, high-volume back. Mitchell will be used as a specialized, change-of-pace weapon. Now, he might thrive and excel at that role, which is what Popper reported. The running game could be a massive unit for the Chargers.

The Chargers coaching staff is a rush-loving crew

Jim Harbaugh loves a good running game. Mike McDaniel is a sucker for a good running game. Hence, look at it now. Two running backs, two different skill sets, and two masterminds when it comes to running the football.

There’s also plenty of hype on Oronde Gadsden, the tight end. However, the real evolution in this offense will be how the running game helps unleash Justin Herbert. The quarterback could have plenty of help if the running backs do their job.

The latest report, shared by insider Ian Rapoport on X, indicates that the Los Angeles franchise is set to interview former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel in the coming days.

While McDaniel remains one of the leading candidates to land a head coaching job among the teams that parted ways with their HC this past season, his strong track record as an offensive coordinator makes him an ideal fit to work alongside Harbaugh following Greg Roman’s departure.

The former Dolphins coach is also believed to be a top target for the Detroit Lions, who are reportedly eyeing him as a potential addition to Dan Campbell’s staff. Ultimately, it will come down to which direction McDaniel chooses as he weighs his options ahead of next season.

Harbaugh targets a fresh start

Two straight playoff exits—combined with just one total touchdown scored across both games—have forced the Chargers into a period of self-reflection. Greg Roman’s departure felt inevitable, and now Harbaugh understands that the team needs a breath of fresh air moving forward.

“A fresh start, a new direction,” the HC said, via the team’s official website. “Greg is a great football mind, had a lot of success. Also a fresh start for him, fresh start for our team and our offense.”

He also added: “There was much that was done well, much that was done really good. Multiple [offensive] line combinations, that was true. It was very hard, very tough. The NFL is unforgiving, it’s unfair, it’s hard, that’s the nature of the business. What we feel like is a direction that’s going to make us better, we’re always striving for that. Whether that’s with players, coaches, myself included. It’s a results-oriented business.”

Herbert looks to boost his 2025 stats

Last season, Justin Herbert posted 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a 60.8 QBR. While these numbers remain solid, he will likely aim to sharpen his efficiency and reduce turnovers to reclaim his status among the league’s elite next year.

Last season, Harbaugh began the turnaround with an 11-6 record, but they had a surprising early exit in the playoffs after losing 32-12 to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.

Now, the Chargers are seeking revenge with a real shot at the AFC West after the Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated from the division race. However, a loss in Week 17 could be a major setback for those aspirations.

Are the Chargers out of the NFL playoffs with a loss against Texans?

No. The Chargers are not out of the playoffs if they lose to the Texans, as they have already clinched a spot in the postseason. The big problem is that, with a loss by Los Angeles, the Denver Broncos would be crowned AFC West champions.

How can the Chargers win the AFC West?

The Chargers can win the AFC West if they secure victories in their remaining games against the Houston Texans and the Broncos. They control their destiny to become division champions because, in the event of a tie with Denver at 13-4, Jim Harbaugh’s team would hold the tiebreaker.

What happens if Los Angeles Chargers lose today against Texans in NFL Week 17?

If the Chargers lose today against the Houston Texans, they would fall to an 11–5 record, and the Denver Broncos would automatically become AFC West champions.

However, in a very important detail, the Los Angeles Chargers have already secured their playoff spot, but they could drop to the No. 7 seed, putting them in a position to play the entire postseason on the road.

Ahead of Week 16, the Chargers remain in second place in their division, having suffered just four losses while racking up ten wins. Their most recent victory, a hard-fought win over Kansas City at Arrowhead, may prove to be the most decisive so far.

Even with a postseason berth still within reach, if the Chargers lose in Week 16 against the Cowboys, their probability of making the playoffs drops to 91%. Conversely, according to the NFL’s official site, a win would boost that number to 99%, virtually securing their Wild Card spot.

The last time they reached this stage was just last season, when they fell to the Houston Texans 32–12 in the Wild Card round. In that game, Justin Herbert had a disastrous performance, throwing a career-high four interceptions.

Herbert’s outstanding season

This season, Justin Herbert has guided the Chargers to a 10–4 record, recording 3,191 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While his 58.4 QBR reflects a year of adjustment under Jim Harbaugh‘s new system, he remains the focal point of the offense as they prepare for a high-stakes Week 16 matchup against the Cowboys.

What’s next for the Chargers?

The Los Angeles Chargers will wrap up their regular season with a high-profile road game against the Cowboys, a Saturday home clash with the Texans, and a final divisional battle against the Broncos in Denver. The Chargers are looking to maintain their momentum and secure the best possible seeding as they head into the postseason.

AFC West standings before Week 16

With only a handful of games left, the Denver Broncos have already secured a playoff spot after posting a 12–2 record heading into Week 16. The Chargers are nearly locked into the postseason, while both the Chiefs and Raiders, each with a losing record, have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

• Denver Broncos (12-2)
• Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
• Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)

Herbert’s performance at SoFi Stadium — defying every expectation — lifted the Chargers to a tight 22–19 overtime victory, prompting an unusual reaction from Harbaugh, who even went as far as calling him a superhero.

“Justin Herbert, he’s a superhero,” the HC said to the press. “He’s a competitive maniac. He was even stiff-arming guys with a broken hand — he had surgery a week ago. It felt like we were in a movie where the quarterback’s doing things and you get to the point where you go, ‘OK, it’s getting a little unrealistic.’ That’s what it felt like to me. He refuses to lose. He’s tough as they get. He’s a superhero quarterback.”

The head coach was also asked whether last night’s game ranks among the best moments of his life: “It’s certainly in the discussion, I’d put it in the discussion of the birth of my seven children, my marriage. In the conversation. Just joyous. The Biblical definition of that is just overflowing with joy.”

Herbert’s performance vs Eagles

Justin Herbert’s outing against the Eagles was a curious statistical anomaly, showcasing grit over efficiency. Though the Chargers secured the win, Herbert posted career-lows in several key passing metrics, completing only 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards (a career-low 46.2% completion rate) with one touchdown and one interception.

This resulted in a 59.6 QB rating, the lowest he has recorded in a victory. Despite the struggles through the air, Herbert was instrumental on the ground, rushing for a season-high 66 yards on 10 attempts. Most remarkably, Herbert managed to lead his team to a victory while somehow enduring a punishing 68.3% pressure rate throughout the contest.

Can the Chargers make the playoffs?

With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the Chargers’ recent win edges them even closer to their main goal. According to the NFL’s official site, they currently hold a 76% chance of making the playoffs, ahead of Week 15.

With a current record of eight wins and four losses, the West Coast squad has a single goal: secure another victory to stay within striking distance of the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. Jim Harbaugh knows the Chargers can’t let this opportunity slip, even with a formidable opponent standing in its way.

Although Justin Herbert recently underwent minor hand surgery, the latest reports from NBC’s John Clark indicate that the quarterback is expected to take the field with his teammates to face the Eagles.

Having the former Ducks player at SoFi Stadium is a significant boost for the Chargers, who will need to give 100% of their effort, especially since they’re facing one of the top contenders in the NFC.

What injury did Justin Herbert sustain?

Justin Herbert recently underwent minor surgery to address a fracture in his finger on his non-throwing hand. Although the injury was sustained earlier in the season, the team decided to perform the procedure days ago to ensure it is fully healed well for what lies ahead.

Herbert’s numbers this season

Despite facing challenges, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has once again put up impressive numbers this season. Through the air, Herbert accumulated 2,842 passing yards and threw 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

While his total passing yards show his consistent volume, his 60.8 QBR reflects a solid, albeit sometimes inconsistent, performance under pressure. Herbert remains a high-volume passer whose statistics anchor the Chargers’ offense, providing hope for the team’s future despite their recent struggles.