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Expectations were sky-high when Harbaugh arrived in January 2024, promising to build a championship-caliber team around Herbert. However, two seasons later, the results have failed to match the rhetoric. The Chargers currently possess one of the league's most stagnant offenses, averaging just 14.7 points per game. This decline has prompted a rare public critique from Harbaugh, who recently challenged his quarterback to improve his decision-making as the team attempts to salvage its season.
Offensive Struggles and Personnel Challenges
A cornerstone of the Harbaugh-Herbert vision was the development of a dominant rushing attack to alleviate pressure on the quarterback. Despite these intentions, the team has struggled to establish a consistent ground game. Since 2024, the Chargers have ranked in the middle to lower tier of the league in rushing yards and explosive plays. Personnel issues, including injuries to key interior linemen like Tyler Biadasz, have hampered progress, forcing Herbert to endure a high volume of hits. Since 2024, Herbert has been sacked 112 times, the fifth-most in the NFL, and has faced 391 quarterback hits, the highest total in the league during that span.
The arrival of offensive coordinator
High Stakes for the Harbaugh-Herbert Partnership
The pressure on the duo is compounded by a history of postseason disappointment. While the team secured back-to-back 11-win seasons under Harbaugh, both campaigns ended in early playoff exits characterized by uncharacteristic struggles from Herbert. In a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans, Herbert became the first player in NFL history to throw more interceptions in a single playoff game than he did during the regular season. A subsequent 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots further highlighted the team's inability to perform when the stakes are highest.
With the team’s playoff odds plummeting according to the Football Power Index, the upcoming game against Seattle serves as a critical juncture. Both Harbaugh and Herbert have acknowledged the urgency of the situation, with the quarterback admitting that the team’s current standing starts with his own performance. As the Chargers look to avoid an 0-4 start, the focus remains on whether the coach and his franchise quarterback can finally align their efforts to turn the season around.
