Justin Herbert has taken responsibility for the Los Angeles Chargers’ lack of production, saying players must perform better as the team searches for answers.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has retained the coordinator, while Herbert said players must do more to turn opportunities into points.
Chargers HC maintains confidence in OC
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert defended offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, saying players must take responsibility for their performance. With the Chargers struggling to score consistently, Herbert said success depends on players carrying out their assignments rather than blaming the coaching staff.
Herbert backed Mike McDaniel, saying, “It’s not his fault. It’s our fault as an offense. We have to do our job. The guys are open. Plays are being made. It’s on us to run, to block, to catch, to throw. It’s on us as an offense.”
The Chargers are 0-6 and averaging a league-low 15 points per game. They managed only six points in a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
McDaniel has faced criticism as the Chargers have failed to produce consistent results. In his first season as offensive coordinator and play-caller, he has faced questions about his approach as the unit continues to fall short of expectations.
Following the loss to the Chiefs, Jim Harbaugh said the team would evaluate its performance, raising questions about McDaniel’s future as play-caller. After the bye week, however, Harbaugh retained him as offensive coordinator and play-caller, citing confidence in his work and ability.
Herbert’s numbers reflect those difficulties. He has completed 107 of 180 passes for 1,141 yards, a 59.4% completion rate, five touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has been sacked 21 times and has yet to record a 300-yard passing game. He has also rushed 29 times for 168 yards.
The difficulties reflected in Herbert’s numbers have been compounded by injuries along the offensive line. These absences have forced the Chargers to rely on younger players in pass protection, limiting consistent support for Herbert. The quarterback has faced significant pressure, making it harder for the offense to sustain drives.
The loss to the Chiefs included several missed opportunities. A 57-yard pass from Herbert to Quentin Johnston moved the Chargers to Kansas City’s 1-yard line. A holding penalty pushed the offense backward. A shovel pass then lost another yard, followed by two incomplete passes. The drive ended with a 30-yard field goal instead of a touchdown.
Additional errors prevented Los Angeles from capitalizing on favorable field position. After the defense stopped Kansas City on downs near the goal line, a delay-of-game penalty and subsequent three-and-out wasted the opportunity. Following a special-teams fumble recovery, the Chargers lost two yards before punting. Later, KeAndre Lambert-Smith fumbled on third down. Across those four sequences, the offense gained only 38 yards on 17 plays.
During the bye week, Harbaugh considered whether simplifying the playbook could help the offense operate more efficiently. Reducing the number of plays and simplifying assignments were among the options discussed to address mistakes that had disrupted drives.
Herbert said improvement must come from the players. While McDaniel continues to direct the unit, he indicated that capitalizing on scoring opportunities remains the team’s primary challenge.
The Chargers will face the Los Angeles Rams after their bye week as they try to reverse their slow start. Capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be a key focus after the Chargers left points on the field in recent weeks.
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