Herbert Slump Deepens as Chargers Start 0-7
Los Angeles' quarterback is completing fewer passes than at any point in his career as the team struggles to a 0-7 start.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-7, and quarterback Justin Herbert is completing fewer passes than at any point in his career. In a 24-9 loss to the Rams in Week 8, Herbert went 24 of 32 for 257 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble.
Why it matters
Herbert's struggles have made him the league's leader in turnovers, with 10 so far, and have left the team without a win as it heads into Week 9. Fans have begun attributing the slump to his engagement to singer Madison Beer, a claim the extraction does not substantiate.
Herbert has a 61.8 percent completion rate and a 5:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio through seven games, while leading the league with 10 turnovers. He has gone eight straight starts, playoffs included, without multiple total touchdowns.
The players
Justin Herbert
Quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, who has been the franchise's starting passer and is the central figure in the team's struggles this season.
Los Angeles Chargers
National Football League franchise based in Los Angeles that is currently 0-7 in the 2026 season.
Madison Beer
Singer and actress whose album Locket was released in January and who is engaged to Justin Herbert.
The details
Herbert finished just inside the top 10 among quarterbacks in pass attempts, yards and touchdowns in 2025 and set career highs in carries and rushing yards. His Week 8 performance against the Rams included a lost fumble, and the Chargers host the Texans in Week 9.
Timeline
August 2025: Herbert and Madison Beer begin dating.
September 2026: The Chargers' public slump begins.
Week 9: Los Angeles hosts Houston on Sunday.
Season Trajectory
Herbert's current 61.8 percent completion rate is a career low by a wide margin, a sharp departure from the efficiency he established earlier in his tenure with the Chargers. With Los Angeles at 0-7, the playoff picture is effectively out of reach, and the season's trajectory now hinges on whether the offense can stabilize against Houston in Week 9.
The Chargers host the Texans in Week 9 on Sunday, a game that will determine whether the team can avoid falling further behind in the standings. For fantasy managers, Herbert's 10 turnovers and sub-62 percent completion rate make him a risky starter until his efficiency rebounds.
The takeaway
Herbert's efficiency is the central variable for the Chargers' season, and his turnover total is the clearest measure of how far the offense has fallen. Readers tracking the team should watch his completion rate in Week 9 as the first sign of whether the slump is easing.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage on Los Angeles-area Chargers games.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
