The Chargers are 0-5, and Jim Harbaugh’s reputation cannot block a pass rusher, convert fourth-and-one, or erase another fourth-quarter collapse.
Sunday’s 23-17 loss to Denver was especially brutal because Los Angeles had the game within reach. The Chargers led 17-10 before surrendering the final 13 points. Another winnable afternoon became another miserable walk into the locker room.
This is where the coaching scrutiny becomes deserved. That does not mean ownership has decided to fire Harbaugh. It means the staff needs to show how it plans to fix this.
Harbaugh accepted responsibility for the failed fourth-and-one attempt from his own 41-yard line with 10:33 remaining. Herbert was stuffed on a quarterback sneak, and Denver used the short field to tie the game. Harbaugh said he should have called a timeout after seeing the defensive alignment, according to the Chargers’ postgame breakdown.
I do not hate aggression. I hate treating aggression like it automatically makes a decision smart.
Jim Harbaugh’s defense was giving you chances. The offensive line was patched together and trying its best. Once the look changed, the coach needed to change with it. Taking the blame afterward is appropriate. Adjusting before Herbert gets swallowed would be better for his job security.
Mike McDaniel’s arrival was supposed to help unlock this offense. Five losses later, the Chargers still look like a team trying to figure out its own instructions. The problems predate the latest injury disaster. The team’s Week 3 analysis documented penalties and miscommunications involving motion, timing, and routes through the opening two games.
Against Buffalo, the defense forced five turnovers and the offense produced just 10 points. McDaniel acknowledged his unit’s responsibility before the Seattle game. That is why the scrutiny belongs on the offensive staff as well as Harbaugh. Simplify what needs simplifying. Give Herbert defined answers. Build a plan the available players can execute.
Mike McDaniels’ impressive scheme means very little when Sunday keeps ending with the same problems.
Rashawn Slater is on injured reserve, Joe Alt missed Denver with a neck injury, and Quentin Johnston was also unavailable. The official inactive report makes clear how depleted this offense was. Those losses deserve real consideration. Asking replacement linemen to handle everything the starters would handle is asking for trouble.
Herbert still has accountability. He finished with 121 passing yards against Denver, then lost a fumble and threw an interception on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions. Both can be true: the coaching staff needs to protect him better, and its franchise quarterback needs to stop turning difficult situations into disasters.
Chris O’Leary’s defense held Denver to 224 yards and one conversion on 12 third-down attempts. The Broncos’ touchdown drives covered only 40 and 41 yards.
That matters when you talk about the coaching staff. This is not a blanket failure across every unit. The defense gave Los Angeles a chance. The offense and game management wasted it.
The Chargers visit Kansas City in Week 6 before their Week 7 bye. Harbaugh earned credibility with consecutive 11-win seasons. I think he deserves the chance to correct this, but that chance needs measurable progress.
Protect Herbert. Reduce the mistakes. Finish a game. Fans have heard enough about fighting and staying together. At 0-5, they need to see the coaching staff turn those words into a win.
Trying to act like I have all the answers is the wrong approach because it makes no logical sense that this Chargers team hasn’t won a game yet or looks competitive on either side of the ball.
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