INGLEWOOD — The Chargers’ body language was as bad as their offense Sunday.
Quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t have any answers after another defeat.
Coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t have any answers, either.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel wasn’t available for comment.
It no longer appears to matter how or why the Chargers reached this lowly state, with a seventh consecutive loss and a 10th overall dating to the end of last season. The bottom line is that they have hit rock bottom and seem to have lost what it takes to win.
Maybe their will to win is gone, too, judging by [their lifeless 24-9 loss Sunday to the Rams.](https://www.ocregister.com/2026/11/01/defense-uplifts-rams-as-offense-struggles-in-win-over-chargers/)
The Chargers looked defeated and sounded defeated at game’s end.
For starters, Herbert looked nothing like the cerebral quarterback who threw for a franchise-record 5,014 yards in his second season in the NFL, in 2021. He threw for a season-best 257 yards Sunday, but tossed two more interceptions, his ninth and 10th, tops in the NFL.
Herbert also failed to direct the Chargers to a touchdown drive for the second consecutive game, a streak of nine straight quarters dating to running back Kimani Vidal’s 42-yard scoring run late in the third quarter of a 23-17 loss Oct. 11 to the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
All the Chargers got from their offense on this Sunday was three field goals from Cameron Dicker. They were blanked after halftime. Overall, they have been outscored 83-54 in the second halves of games this season, including by an astounding total of 63-13 in the fourth quarters of games.
“It’s really tough,” Herbert said. “I feel for the defense, I feel for the team.”
So, what did Harbaugh see from the sideline? Why did it go haywire again?
“We weren’t able to finish drives with touchdowns,” Harbaugh said in a typically somber tone. “We also lost in the middle eight (minutes of the game), touchdowns before the half by the Rams and in the opening drive of the second half, and turned the ball over. Those were the keys once again.”
Harbaugh did say McDaniel would retain his play-calling duties.
McDaniel’s regularly scheduled session with reporters isn’t until Thursday.
“First of all, it’s a team effort,” Harbaugh said, sidestepping a question about why he would maintain the status quo. “We’re going to look at the film and we’re going to address our issues, where we can get better, and that’s just keep working. Highly motivated and dedicated to getting this right. We’re the only ones that have the opportunity to change it, to fix it.”
The Chargers’ next chance to end their dismal streak is next Sunday against the Houston Texans (2-5) at SoFi Stadium. They hit the road to play the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) and ex-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter on Nov. 16 before returning home to play host to the New York Jets (2-6) on Nov. 22.
Herbert, Harbaugh and McDaniel had an entire bye week to jump-start the Chargers’ flailing offense, giving them two weeks to rest, regroup and recover after becoming the last winless team in the NFL. That it didn’t happen, that the Chargers are now 0-7, invited plenty of questions.
But there were no firm answers.
Now, the most intriguing date on the calendar might very well be the trade deadline Nov. 10. A sell-off isn’t expected, although several players, including likely Hall of Fame outside linebacker Khalil Mack, could likely draw interest from teams looking to bulk up for the stretch run.
Mack dismissed questions about a possible deal before the deadline, though.
“You’ve got to be where your feet are, ultimately,” said Mack, a 13-year veteran who has been a Pro Bowl pick nine times. “That could be the most difficult thing, dealing with a lot of outside noise. So, I’m just trying to be where my feet are all the time. That’s kind of been my thing in the past.”
Mack also defended Herbert, who completed 24 of 32 passes against the Rams.
“That’s my brother, man,” said Mack, who helped to keep the Rams in check until quarterback Matthew Stafford directed touchdown drives on three of four possessions, starting with a scoring drive during a two-minute drill before halftime. “Love him. Ups and downs, good and bad, I’ve got his back.”