Up to date Sept. 13, 2026, 9:13 p.m. ET
Only a few items across the NFL acquired extra fanfare coming into the 2026 season than the Los Angeles Chargers‘ offense.
Many anticipated the Chargers’ offense to take a significant step ahead after including offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to the fold. The thesis revolved round McDaniel’s penchant for designing a top quality operating recreation and Justin Herbert being the perfect quarterback the 43-year-old coach had labored with throughout his profession.
Nonetheless, the new-look Chargers offense fell flat in a giant strategy to open the 2026 marketing campaign. They notched simply 14 factors and struggled all through a surprising 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chargers’ offense by no means fairly jelled throughout their season-opening recreation towards the Cardinals. They have been outgained 393-268 and significantly struggled to run the ball, which was a shock given McDaniel’s repute as a run-game guru.
Omarion Hampton – from whom many predict a second-year breakout – had a pleasant, highly effective landing run early within the recreation. Nonetheless, that was his lone spotlight in an in any other case lackluster day. He completed with simply 43 yards on 12 carries and did not showcase as a lot explosiveness as hoped whereas averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
A part of the issue was associated to the Chargers’ offensive line play. Los Angeles’ inside offensive line endured explicit points blocking in entrance of Hampton – and Herbert, who was sacked 3 times towards Arizona – whereas rotating repetitions at left guard between Kayode Awosika and Trey Pipkins.
Jim Harbaugh instructed reporters following the sport the unorthodox rotation was “the perfect factor for [the team]” however declined to offer particular particulars about it.
Both method, Los Angeles’ incapacity to generate a constant operating recreation – together with enjoying from behind – pressured the Chargers to rely closely on their passing recreation.
Herbert and his receivers usually seemed to be on completely different pages, which prevented the staff from producing a lot rhythm by means of the air. Ladd McConkey was the lone large receiver who appeared to construct some chemistry with Herbert, however he suffered a chest damage within the third quarter and didn’t return.
Some highlights of the inefficiency: Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris have been focused a mixed 12 instances however generated simply 5 catches for 37 yards. Moreover, every of the Chargers’ last 4 possessions ended with turnovers, with two approaching downs, one approaching an interception and one approaching a blocked punt recovered by Arizona.
And Herbert completed the day having accomplished 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards, one landing and one interception whereas being sacked 3 times. His 83.7 passer ranking was his sixth-worst in a regular-season recreation below Harbaugh’s tutelage.
Harbaugh repeatedly known as his staff’s efficiency “sloppy” throughout his postgame information convention. He wasn’t completely displeased together with his staff’s offensive efficiency, nothing they’d a handful of high quality drives that merely ended up empty, however he nonetheless opined the staff must make main strides to enhance shifting ahead.
“So much to get higher at, lots to repair,” Harbaugh instructed reporters.
The Chargers will get their first crack at doing so in Week 2, once they face the Las Vegas Raiders.
