Jim Harbaugh Challenged Justin Herbert After 0-3 Start
The Chargers coach called for improved play following a winless start to the current NFL season.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
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Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has publicly challenged quarterback Justin Herbert to elevate his performance. The call to action follows a winless 0-3 start to the season marked by significant offensive struggles.
Why it matters
The team's inability to capitalize on leads, including blowing a 10-point advantage in their recent loss, has placed heavy pressure on Herbert to lead a struggling offense. The Chargers currently rank 29th in the NFL for points scored per game.
Justin Herbert has recorded 627 passing yards and four interceptions through three games. The team maintains a 113.0 rushing yards per game average, while scoring only 14.7 points per game.
The players
Jim Harbaugh
He is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers tasked with turning around the team's season.
Justin Herbert
He serves as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Tom Brady
He is a former NFL quarterback who publicly criticized Herbert's performance during the Week 3 loss.
Los Angeles Chargers
This is a professional football team based in Los Angeles currently navigating a difficult season start.
The details
The Chargers lost 24-16 to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, a game during which Herbert threw an interception that drew public criticism from Tom Brady. The team continues to struggle with consistency, ranking 20th in passing yards and 29th in points scored.
Timeline
The Chargers officially dropped to an 0-3 record in September 2026.
The team lost to the Buffalo Bills on September 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The current 0-3 start marks a sharp departure from the success observed during the 2024-2025 Chargers back-to-back 11-win seasons. This early deficit places the franchise in a difficult position to reach the playoffs given the upcoming schedule.
The Chargers face a challenging stretch of six upcoming games against the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. These matchups will be critical in determining whether the team remains a viable playoff contender.
The takeaway
The Chargers must address their turnover issues and low scoring output to salvage their season. A quick turnaround is required before the team falls too far behind in a highly competitive division.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Los Angeles Football section.
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Do you still support your local team when they are underperforming for an entire season?
