Home · Sports · Sep 29 archive
Harbaugh Criticizes Herbert: 'Be Better
Confirmed
In Short: Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh offered a rare public critique of quarterback Justin Herbert following the team's 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. 'Be better,' Harbaugh said, referring to Herbert's decision-making.
Harbaugh's comments came after Herbert's poor performance, which included 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception. The quarterback could have had three interceptions if not for dropped balls by Buffalo defenders.
In previous comments, Harbaugh had praised Herbert, calling him the greatest quarterback of all time and saying he wouldn't change a thing about him. This makes his recent criticism particularly noteworthy.
Harbaugh's critique extends beyond just Sunday's game. He noted that Herbert's interception in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders was due to a wide receiver's mistake, and in Week 1, he blamed a wide receiver for a sack instead of protection calls.
Despite the defense forcing five turnovers against the Bills, the offense scored only 14 points, leading to another loss for the Chargers. Harbaugh emphasized the need for better decision-making and a review of the offensive scheme.
Herbert's struggles continued as he has thrown more deep-pass interceptions this season (3) than in either of the previous two seasons (2 in 2024, 2 in 2025). This ties him with Cooper Rush and Daniel Jones for the longest active streak in the NFL.
Harbaugh's direct criticism of Herbert comes as the Chargers remain winless after three games. The coach acknowledged that the offense needs to improve, especially with the defense providing opportunities.
Herbert himself admitted to being unsure why the offense is struggling, saying, 'That's a great question.' Harbaugh's messaging, which is often vague, now aims to motivate his quarterback and offensive personnel.
The interior of the offensive line has been repeatedly overwhelmed, contributing to Herbert's struggles. Harbaugh's public critique signals a shift in the team's approach to fixing their offensive issues.
If Herbert does not improve soon, questions about his ability to perform at the expected level may intensify, potentially affecting Harbaugh's standing as well.
What this adds
WarpBeat previously reported on Harbaugh's rare public critique of Herbert, but this report adds details on the specific performance issues and Harbaugh's past praise for the quarterback.
Background
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh offered a rare public critique of quarterback Justin Herbert following the team's 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. 'Be better,' Harbaugh said, referring to Herbert's decision-making.
What's confirmed
- EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh offered a rare public critique of quarterback Justin Herbert a day after the team's 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. "Be better. Be better," Harbaugh said of Herbert's decision-making.
- "We want to be better. We got to be better. We got to look at our scheme," Harbaugh said.
What's still developing
- He once said he wishes he could trade genes with Herbert because of how perfect a player and person he is. Last week, Harbaugh said he "wouldn't change a thing about Justin." That makes Harbaugh's criticisms Monday all the more meaningful, as Herbert hasn't looked like the player many consider among the NFL's most talented quarterbacks this season. Sunday's game marked another poor performance for Herbert, who looks like a shell of himself in McDaniel's offense.
- In training camp, McDaniel said Herbert had been significantly ahead of any other quarterbacks he had worked with in their first year in the system, but Herbert has never looked less comfortable through three games. The Chargers lost despite the defense forcing five turnovers Sunday, when the offense scored only 14 points.
- If Herbert doesn't turn things around soon, it's fair to start asking if he ever will.
- Los Angeles led 13-10 in the fourth quarter, but Justin Herbert couldn't finish drives, settling for field goals while Buffalo clawed back into the game late.
- Josh Allen, shaky for most of the afternoon, led two fourth-quarter scoring drives to seal it, while Herbert again looked inefficient and indecisive, far from the franchise quarterback he's being paid to be.
- Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that he wants to see improved decision-making from the quarterback. "Be better. Be better," Harbaugh said.
- As the defense gave L.A. repeated chances to thwart Josh Allen ’s Bills, Herbert and Co. never found a groove.
- Even Justin Herbert ’s most staunch defender wants to see more from the quarterback.
- After three weeks, it’s been a rusty operation, and Herbert doesn’t appear comfortable in the scheme yet.
- Herbert said he was unsure why the Chargers' offense is stuck in reverse.
- We got to look at our scheme," Harbaugh said. "We got to look at how we're performing, how we're doing things and who's doing it.
- Stalled drives and a lack of execution have kept the Chargers from being explosive, and Herbert hasn't flexed his arm strength downfield since the offense can't stay on schedule.