Let's stop piling on Justin Herbert and look at Chargers' collective bad luck and failures
For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff run ended in a dispiriting and one-sided defeat, this time a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots in the wild-card round. The performance laid bare the systemic issues that have plagued the franchise, extending far beyond the singular focus on quarterback Justin Herbert.
While Herbert’s underwhelming stat line (under 100 yards until late in the game) will draw scrutiny, the failure was organizational. A catastrophic series of injuries, particularly along the offensive line, crippled the team’s ceiling. All-Pro tackle Rashawn Slater was lost before the season, first-round pick Joe Alt underwent season-ending ankle surgery, and backups played out of position, rendering the front a "preseason-quality" unit at times. Key offensive weapons, including rookie running back Omarion Hampton and free-agent addition Najee Harris, also missed significant time.
The offensive philosophy under now-fired coordinator Greg Roman failed to provide answers, with the passing game remaining disjointed and even second-year receiver Ladd McConkey experiencing a production drop. The Chargers entered the postseason with a razor-thin margin for error, a formula unsustainable for playoff success.
Despite the bleak finish, the foundation for contention remains. Herbert, 27, possesses elite talent and a career sample size that suggests he can lead a deep run. The defense, orchestrated by highly sought-after coordinator Jesse Minter, has developed into a strength, assuming Minter is retained. The franchise also holds a league-leading projected $109 million in salary-cap space this offseason.
The path forward requires an honest offensive recalibration, significant investment in health and depth, and perhaps a new schematic direction. While Sunday’s loss felt like a nadir, the Chargers’ core competency suggests they will remain in the playoff picture—but closing the gap to true contention demands more than just hoping for better injury luck.
