newsweek
The Seattle Seahawks moved to 3-1 on Sunday after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 30-23, handing the Chargers their fourth consecutive loss to begin the season.
Despite outgaining Seattle 301 to 286, the Chargers were undone by four turnovers, 16 penalties for 130 yards, and four sacks of quarterback Justin Herbert. Los Angeles fought back from a 21-point deficit late in the game, but the early miscues proved too costly and time ran out.
In his postgame press conference, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked why Herbert still has to play 'hero ball' two years into Harbaugh's tenure. Harbaugh took issue with the question, saying, 'Yeah, that just sounds more like an insult than it does a question, but if that's the way you look at it .. It's the kind of competitor that he is. I've never seen him flinch. I've never seen him rattled. He's an amazing inspiration.'
Harbaugh then shifted to the team's mindset, stating the Chargers 'attack, we improve' and 'can't improve everything all at once, but we can improve one thing at a time all the time.' When the reporter followed up and denied insulting Herbert, Harbaugh again declined to address why Herbert has to carry so much of the load.
Herbert has struggled early in the 2026 season. Through four games, he has completed just 59.7% of his passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns, with six interceptions and 12 sacks taken, tied for the second most in the NFL. According to NFL.com, he is the first Chargers quarterback with at least six interceptions and 10 sacks through four games since Ryan Leaf in 2000.
A significant portion of the blame falls on the offensive line. Starting center Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending knee injury before Week 1, and the interior line has struggled. The Chargers also recently lost both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, to injuries, with Slater expected to be placed on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain.
Herbert has spent years making something out of nothing. Yet even with a new offensive coordinator, more weapons around him, and what was supposed to be a healthy offensive line, nothing has changed.
There is mounting pressure on the entire Chargers coaching staff to turn things around, beginning with Harbaugh. Los Angeles is 0-4 for the first time under him, in his third season, and the team's playoff chances are dwindling by the day. Next up is a home game against the Broncos, followed by road matchups against the Chiefs and Rams.
Key Analysis
Harbaugh's fiery defense of Herbert underscores the frustration mounting in Los Angeles. The Chargers' 0-4 start, coupled with injuries along the offensive line, has placed a spotlight on the coaching staff's ability to right the ship. With a challenging schedule ahead, the pressure is only going to intensify.
Originally reported by newsweek.