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Jim Harbaugh is rooting for his quarterback after fans criticized Justin Herbert for his performance in the Los Angeles Chargers' loss to the Houston Texans.
Harbaugh said the criticism is unwarranted and that the coaching staff is more to blame than the quarterback.
“Totally unfair. I wouldn't have thought for two seconds about what happened in that game. It didn't go well, and it's on me, it's my responsibility, it's my responsibility. I really felt going into that tournament that we we were as good as the best teams in the playoffs, not just any team, but the best teams in the playoffs… We did him a disservice and didn't put him in a position to be successful enough, but he played like a beast… There is no one in this entire organization who gives more blood, sweat and tears and contributes more, produces more for the entire organization than Justin Herbert.
Herbert had a strong year after his 2023 season was cut short by injury. He threw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions, adding 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.
Herbert's good year was marred by his playoff performance. He threw for 242 yards and a touchdown but gave up four interceptions in a 32-12 loss. One of his interceptions was a 38-yard pick-six that gave the Texans a 20-6 halftime lead.
Herbert, who just completed his fifth season in the NFL, is now 0-2 in the postseason. His second loss came in 2022 when Los Angeles lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.
But Herbert's two playoff losses didn't diminish the Chargers' respect for him. Along with Harbaugh, general manager Joe Hortiz defended Herbert, pointing to several other great quarterbacks who struggled in the playoffs early in their careers.
“I hear the narrative and all that, but there are a lot of great quarterbacks in this league who maybe didn't have an ideal start to their playoff careers,” Hortiz said. “Peyton Manning was 0-3 his first five years. Lamar Jackson, he was 0-2. So if we're going to set up a Justin story from two playoff games, it's absurd. What I watch this guy do, he is Phenomenal, he is a phenomenal competitor, leader, playmaker, get him out of here, I can promise you that he is special, and special things are ahead for him.
Herbert is not going anywhere, as he is under contract through the 2029 season, and Los Angeles appears to have no desire to part with him. Instead, the Chargers will look to build around a star quarterback as they look to find success in Year 2 of the Harbaugh era.
