The Los Angeles Chargers are terrible. Not bad, not mediocre, just plain terrible. They are 0–5, and looking at their next four games, the chances of them falling to 0–9 seem considerably higher than those of improving to 4–5. Their next four opponents are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. With a bye week between the Chiefs and Rams games, Los Angeles faces a brutal stretch against four teams capable of making life extremely difficult for a struggling football team. For a franchise that entered the season with playoff expectations, this has been nothing short of a disaster.
But why are the Chargers so bad? They have a good quarterback in Justin Herbert and a respected head coach in Jim Harbaugh. On paper, this should be a competitive football team. However, a closer look at the numbers explains why Los Angeles has been unable to win a single game.
Their offensive line ranks 29th in the NFL, their wide receivers rank 29th in separation, and their defense ranks 24th in points allowed per game, surrendering an average of 25.8 points per contest. Their one redeeming quality is their ability to generate pressure, ranking eighth in the league in sacks.
So what do the Chargers do? How does a franchise with a talented quarterback, an established head coach, and several recognizable players find itself in such a disastrous position?
An Offensive Line That Cannot Protect Justin Herbert
The biggest problem facing the Chargers is their offensive line. Los Angeles entered Week 5 ranked 29th in the league by Pro Football Focus, and the situation has only become more concerning with injuries to key players.
Rashawn Slater has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain, while Joe Alt has also dealt with injury problems. Against Denver, the Chargers were forced to start four rookies along the offensive line, leaving Herbert behind a severely weakened unit.
The results were predictable. Herbert was sacked five times in the 23–17 loss to Denver, and the Chargers managed just 237 total yards of offense.
It’s difficult for any quarterback to succeed when the protection consistently breaks down. Herbert is frequently forced to make decisions under pressure, and the lack of stability up front makes it harder for Los Angeles to establish a consistent running game.
However, injuries cannot excuse everything. The Chargers have struggled with offensive line consistency for years, including during previous postseason appearances. At some point, the organization must recognize that protecting its franchise quarterback cannot continue to be an annual problem.
The Chargers need to make rebuilding the offensive line their highest priority. That means acquiring proven interior linemen, developing their younger players, and ensuring that Slater and Alt have reliable support when healthy.
There is little point investing heavily in offensive weapons if Herbert doesn’t have enough time to find them.
A Receiving Corps That Cannot Create Separation
The offensive line isn’t the only problem. Los Angeles also has a receiving corps that has struggled to create opportunities.
The Chargers’ wide receivers rank 29th in separation, which is particularly concerning for a team that relies on Herbert’s arm talent to generate offense.
When receivers cannot consistently get open, quarterbacks are forced to hold the football longer, attempt difficult throws into tight coverage, or settle for short completions. Combine that with one of the league’s weakest offensive lines, and the result is an offense that struggles to move the football.
Injuries have made matters worse. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston were both unavailable against Denver, further limiting Herbert’s options.
But even when healthy, this receiving group lacks the consistency and game-changing ability required to compete with the NFL’s best offenses.
The Chargers need a true No. 1 receiver who can consistently defeat coverage, stretch defenses vertically, and provide Herbert with a dependable target in critical situations.
That brings us to one of the most interesting possibilities in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Is Justin Herbert Really the Answer?
I’ve never been the biggest Justin Herbert fan. I don’t consider him an elite quarterback, and I believe he receives more praise than his accomplishments have warranted.
However, I do believe Herbert is a good quarterback who can win football games when surrounded by a competent supporting cast. An 0–5 record doesn’t provide much evidence of that, but it would be unfair to place the entirety of the Chargers’ struggles on his shoulders.
At the same time, Herbert deserves criticism for his own mistakes.
Against Denver, he completed just 14 of 24 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he committed two costly fourth-quarter turnovers, losing a fumble and throwing an interception as Los Angeles surrendered a 17–10 lead.
The Chargers have committed 13 turnovers through five games, the most in the NFL. Herbert must do a better job protecting the football, particularly in close games.
Great quarterbacks are expected to overcome adversity, and while Herbert’s supporting cast has been poor, he hasn’t consistently elevated the players around him.
That doesn’t mean the Chargers should move on from him. Finding a capable starting quarterback is difficult, and Herbert remains talented enough to lead a competitive team.
Instead, Los Angeles needs to build an offense that maximizes his strengths rather than constantly asking him to compensate for weaknesses elsewhere.
A Defense That Isn’t Good Enough
While the offense has received most of the criticism, the defense hasn’t been particularly impressive either.
The Chargers rank 24th in points allowed per game, surrendering 25.8 points per contest through their first five games. For a team coached by Jim Harbaugh that entered the season expecting to compete for the playoffs, those numbers are unacceptable.
Their ability to generate sacks has been one of the few positives. Los Angeles ranks eighth in that category, with Khalil Mack and the rest of the defensive front continuing to create problems for opposing quarterbacks.
However, generating pressure means little if the defense cannot consistently prevent opponents from scoring.
The secondary has struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, while the defense as a whole has been unable to compensate for the offense’s shortcomings.
To be fair, the defense isn’t entirely responsible for its statistical ranking. Offensive turnovers frequently put defenders in difficult positions, forcing them to defend short fields and increasing the likelihood of opponents scoring.
Still, the Chargers need more consistency at every level of the defense.
Their defensive front has shown that it can pressure opposing quarterbacks. The next step is improving coverage, limiting explosive plays, and forcing more turnovers of their own.
Should the Chargers Trade Khalil Mack?
One move I would seriously consider is trading Khalil Mack before the November 10 trade deadline.
Mack remains a productive player despite his age. The veteran pass rusher has recorded three sacks through the first five games of the season and continues to demonstrate why he has been one of the NFL’s premier defensive players for more than a decade.
However, Mack is 35 years old, and the Chargers are currently 0–5. By the time Los Angeles is ready to seriously contend again, he could be approaching the end of his career.
With trade speculation surrounding him, I would explore moving Mack for a second- or third-round draft pick.
A second-round selection would be an excellent return, although his age and contract situation could make a third-round pick more realistic.
The Chargers need to stop thinking exclusively about saving the current season and start considering how to build a better roster for 2027 and beyond.
Trading Mack would weaken their pass rush in the short term, but Los Angeles already has younger defensive talent capable of contributing. Tuli Tuipulotu and Akheem Mesidor provide the franchise with players it can continue developing.
An additional draft selection could be used to address the offensive line, secondary, or receiving corps.
For a winless team facing significant roster questions, accumulating draft capital should be a priority.
Jeremiah Smith Could Transform This Offense
If the Chargers continue losing, they could find themselves selecting near the top of the 2027 NFL Draft.
One player they should seriously consider is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Smith is one of college football’s most exciting offensive talents, combining exceptional size, athleticism, route-running ability, and contested-catch skills.
He has the potential to become the kind of dominant receiver the Chargers have been missing.
Imagine Herbert throwing to a receiving corps featuring Smith alongside a healthy Ladd McConkey. Los Angeles would have a legitimate outside receiving threat capable of stretching defenses, while McConkey could continue operating as a dangerous route runner underneath.
That combination would immediately make the Chargers’ passing attack more threatening.
Of course, Smith’s availability would depend on where Los Angeles ultimately selects and which teams draft ahead of them. He is too talented to assume he will simply fall into their lap.
There is also an argument for using a premium selection on an offensive lineman instead, particularly if the Chargers cannot adequately address their protection problems through free agency.
However, if Smith is available when Los Angeles is on the clock, passing on a potential franchise receiver would be difficult.
The Chargers need difference-makers, and Smith has the potential to become one.
Does Jim Harbaugh Deserve Another Chance?
Jim Harbaugh deserves criticism for the Chargers’ disastrous start, but I wouldn’t immediately fire him.
Harbaugh has demonstrated throughout his coaching career that he can build competitive football teams. His previous success in San Francisco and Michigan shows that he understands how to establish a winning culture.
However, the Chargers’ performance this season has been unacceptable.
The loss to Denver was particularly concerning. Los Angeles held a 17–10 fourth-quarter lead before a failed fourth-and-one attempt deep in its own territory helped Denver tie the game. Herbert’s subsequent turnovers completed the collapse.
Harbaugh must accept responsibility for decisions, the lack of offensive consistency, and the team’s inability to close games.
The coaching staff also needs to reconsider its offensive approach. With Mike McDaniel coordinating the offense, Los Angeles should be finding ways to create easier throws, manufacture separation, and establish a more dependable rushing attack.
That may require additional quick passes, screens, play-action concepts, and moving Herbert outside the pocket to reduce pressure.
Harbaugh shouldn’t be immune from criticism simply because of his reputation. But firing him without addressing the roster’s weaknesses would accomplish very little.
I would give him the opportunity to oversee the next phase of the team’s development, provided the organization is willing to make meaningful changes.
The Chargers Need a Fresh Start
At 0–5, the Chargers are facing a difficult reality. Their playoff hopes are fading, their offensive line is among the league’s weakest, their receivers struggle to create separation, and their defense hasn’t performed well enough to compensate.
The upcoming schedule offers little relief. Los Angeles faces Kansas City, the Rams, Houston, and Baltimore over its next four games, with a bye week separating the Chiefs and Rams matchups.
Going 0–9 is a genuine possibility if the team continues performing at its current level.
The Chargers need to approach the remainder of the season with a longer-term perspective. That means evaluating younger players, exploring trades for aging veterans, rebuilding the offensive line, and identifying potential franchise-changing talent in the 2027 draft.
Herbert is a good quarterback, but he isn’t going to single-handedly fix this team. Harbaugh is a respected coach, but his reputation alone won’t win football games.
The Chargers need better players, better execution, and a clearer offensive identity.
Trading Khalil Mack for draft capital, addressing the offensive line, and potentially selecting Jeremiah Smith would represent meaningful steps toward rebuilding the roster.
The talent to become competitive again is there, but Los Angeles must recognize that its current approach isn’t working.
The Chargers aren’t one adjustment away from being contenders. They need a fresh start, and the sooner the organization accepts that reality, the sooner it can begin moving forward.
And on a personal note, as a Chiefs fan, watching the Chargers be this miserable does put a smile on my face. Some rivalries are just too enjoyable.
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