The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2026 season with playoff expectations. Five weeks in, they’re still searching for their first win.
Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos dropped the Chargers to 0-5, the franchise’s worst start since 2003. Once again, quarterback Justin Herbert struggled to protect the football when it mattered most.
But head coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t putting the blame on his star quarterback. Instead, Harbaugh believes Herbert is simply trying to do too much to keep his team afloat.
Another late collapse
---------------------
The Chargers had control of Sunday’s game for much of the second half. Running back Kimani Vidal broke off a 42-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, giving Los Angeles a 17-10 lead at SoFi Stadium.
From there, things fell apart. Herbert’s final four possessions ended with a turnover on downs, a fumble, an interception, and a game-ending sack.
Denver capitalized, tying the game on a Bo Nix touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton before taking the lead on a Wil Lutz field goal set up by Herbert’s fumble. Brandon Jones then picked off Herbert with just over three minutes remaining to seal the win.
Herbert finished the game 14-of-24 for just 121 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
‘Desperation time’
------------------
On Monday, Harbaugh was asked about Herbert’s turnover issues, and he pointed to the situations his quarterback has been put in this season.
“There are definitely times when he was trying to make a play, and too many times this season, there’s been that desperation time,” Harbaugh said, via [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7685316/2026/10/12/jim-harbaugh-justin-herbert-turnovers-chargers/). “That’s what I’d attribute that to. Doing anything and everything he can.”
Harbaugh made it clear that he isn’t going to ask Herbert to change his approach.
“I’m not going to tell him anything different,” Harbaugh said. “He’s doing anything and everything that he can to help us win, and I applaud those that do that.”
Harbaugh also said it’s on the team to put Herbert in better positions to succeed. And given the Chargers’ injury situation, that’s easier said than done.
Turnovers piling up
-------------------
Through five games, Herbert has thrown five touchdowns and seven interceptions. His nine total turnovers are tied with Drake Maye for the most in the NFL.
For context, Herbert’s career high in interceptions is 15, which came during his second season in 2021. He’s already nearly halfway to that mark with 12 games still remaining.
Things don’t get any easier from here. The Chargers travel to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
“The way he competes, it’s like few others I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh said of Herbert.
The Chargers are going to need a lot more than that to dig themselves out of this hole.