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The Los Angeles Chargers continue to flounder, starting 0-4 in another mistake-filled game for the offense in a 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, Jim Harbaugh continues to back offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
“No, his job is not in jeopardy,” Harbaugh said of the OC via the Associated Press. “He’s a skilled coach, and we’re going to keep growing.”
The growing has been slow and painful thus far.
Justin Herbert threw two more interceptions and was sacked four times on Sunday. His six INTs and 12 sacks through four weeks are both tied for second most in the NFL. Herbert is the first Chargers quarterback with at least six interceptions and 10 sacks through the team's first four games of a season since Ryan Leaf in 2000. His six INTs are the most through four games in his career, and his 12 sacks are tied for the most.
Herbert continues to look uncomfortable in the offense, and his interceptions right to two different linebackers underscore that he’s not seeing or feeling things well in McDaniel’s offense. Still, the QB backed his OC after the latest loss.
“I think (McDaniel) is the greatest and I want to make him proud and do everything I can to pick up the offense and do exactly what he asks,” Herbert said. “But I think we’ve just got to go make plays. I’ve got to make plays out there and haven’t done that, but I know we’ll get it next time.”
The offensive line remains an issue, particularly on the interior, where Cole Strange and Jake Slaughter each allowed six QB pressures, per Next Gen Stats. Herbert faced pressure on 55.0% of dropbacks, with only one game last season posting a higher pressure rate (Week 14 vs. Eagles). Under pressure, Herbert went 7 of 13 for 101 yards and an interception while taking four sacks,
The first half was particularly gruesome for the Chargers offense, which put up 92 total net yards, including Herbert’s 5-for-14 for 36 yards and two INTs.
L.A. settled down more in the second half after falling behind by 21 points, and made a game of things in the fourth quarter. However, Herbert’s strip-sack fumble with a minute left in the fourth quarter clinched the Seahawks' win.
“I think there were a lot of good things in the second half,” Herbert said. “I appreciated the battle and the fight from everyone, and being able to string out some of those long drives is really important for us and hopefully that’s something we can build off of.
Los Angeles has started 0-4 for the first time since 2017, when they went 9-3 in their final 12 games to finish 9-7 but missed the postseason. The 1992 Chargers are the only team to start 0-4 and make the postseason.