The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-4 for the first time since 2017, and head coach Jim Harbaugh did not take a reporter's line of question well when discussing his offense
Jim Harbaugh engaged in a frosty exchange with a reporter over Justin Herbert and his protection
Jim Harbaugh engaged in a frosty exchange with a reporter over Justin Herbert and his protection(Image: Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was involved in a tense back-and-forth with a reporter.
On Sunday, Harbaugh’s Chargers suffered a 30-23 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Justin Herbert threw an interception on the first offensive snap of the game for the Bolts, but steadily recovered and had the opportunity to tie — or even win — the game on the final drive.
However, Seahawks pass-rusher Uchenna Nwosu secured a strip-sack that was recovered by Seattle to win the game. Herbert finished 19-of-31 for 189 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions as the Chargers, whose offense has not lived up to the preseason hype so far, fell to 0-4.
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Herbert has not had a great start to the 2026 NFL season. Through four games — and four losses — he has posted 816 passing yards with four total touchdowns, six interceptions, and four fumbles. His passer rating is the lowest in the NFL, and he’s completed just 59.7 percent of his passes.
Despite Herbert having his worst statistical season this year, Harbaugh has not wavered in his belief that he has a great quarterback under center.
At his press conference on Monday, one reporter seemed to frustrate Harbaugh by insinuating that, after the coach had praised Herbert for how tough he was continuing to play against the Seahawks despite taking some hard hits, his quarterback isn’t being protected enough.
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Justin Herbert was sacked four times versus the Seahawks
Herbert was sacked four times versus the Seahawks(Image: Getty Images)
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The question suggested Herbert “still has to be a superhero” for the Chargers to have a chance of winning. Harbaugh responded by saying: “Yeah, that just sounds more like an insult than it does a question, but if that’s the way you look at it. 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.
“He’s an amazing inspiration, and that’s what we do. We all feed off of that. I know the entire team does. And you ask me what gives me optimism, what gives me hope with this football team, because I see that throughout the entire team. And yeah, we attack, we improve, can’t improve everything all at once, but we can improve one thing at a time, all the time. And that’s what this team is doing.”
The reporter insisted his question was not an insult, noting that Harbaugh is in his third season in charge of the AFC West franchise and Herbert is still among the most pressured and hit quarterbacks. Harbaugh stayed firm, saying: “I think I answered your question. I can answer it the same way.”
“You can answer it the same way, but I don’t think you answered it,” the reporter replied.
Harbaugh then had the last word: “I think I did.”
The 0-4 Chargers will try to add a first win of the season against the 2-2 Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11.