Chargers Struggle to Find Offensive Rhythm Under Harbaugh

The Los Angeles Chargers, coached by Jim Harbaugh, have shown a consistent performance over recent seasons. In 2024, they posted an 11-6 record and secured second place in the AFC West, only to fall 32-12 to the Houston Texans during the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. The following year, they mirrored that performance, finishing 11-6 again, but lost 16-3 to the New England Patriots in the same playoff stage.

While there has been notable improvement in the Chargers’ defense since Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter took charge, the offense seems to be underachieving. Quarterback Justin Herbert possesses the attributes necessary for success in today’s NFL, such as strong arm talent and the ability to escape the pocket when plays break down.

Injuries and issues with the offensive line, however, have hindered the Chargers’ offensive potential. The team scored only 368 points in 2025, trailing far behind the league’s highest-scoring team, the Rams, who had 518 points. To remedy this, Harbaugh brought in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to overhaul the offense.

But opening the season against the Arizona Cardinals did not go as planned. The Chargers were heavy favorites, especially given Arizona’s disappointing 3-14 record from the previous season, during which they allowed the fourth most points in the NFL. Despite expectations, the game turned into a rout, with Arizona controlling the pace and dominating possession 37:31 to 22:29. The Cardinals amassed 393 yards of offense while limiting the Chargers to just 268 yards, also forcing two turnovers and blocking a punt late in the game.

Herbert struggled to find his rhythm, throwing an interception and facing consistent pressure on his dropbacks. Post-game, his demeanor reflected disappointment over the team’s performance. “We just didn’t execute,” he admitted, acknowledging the offense’s struggles in red zone situations, third downs, and overall ball movement.

When questioned about the interception, Herbert replied confidently, “Yeah,” indicating he recognized the safety’s presence when he threw the pass. He noted they needed to improve, saying, “You know, we didn’t play the way we wanted to… we’re going to have to watch film and get better from it.”

Some Chargers fans noted that his body language suggested he might have already given up on the season. Whether that was true or not, the game continued a concerning pattern regarding the team’s offensive line play. Throughout his time with the Chargers, Herbert has been sacked a staggering 241 times across 99 games. For context, Andrew Luck, who famously departed the game due to injury concerns, was sacked only 185 times in 94 games with the Colts.

One notable moment from the game showcased the offensive line’s struggles: three Chargers linemen were found blocking one defender while two Cardinals players were free to sack Herbert.

Following the game, Harbaugh acknowledged the mistakes made, saying, “We made some preseason-type of mistakes. Now in retrospect, I wish we’d played our guys a little bit more in the preseason and given them those reps.”

Looking ahead, while Herbert is undeniably talented and capable of guiding the Chargers deep into the playoffs, the team’s mindset and cohesion seem critical. If those elements are lacking, it might turn out to be just a distant hope for better offensive line play and overall success in Los Angeles.