Jim Harbaugh Says Justin Herbert Criticism is 'Completely Unfair' After Chargers Loss

Jim Harbaugh went to bat for his quarterback after fans criticized Justin Herbert for his performance in the Los Angeles Chargers' wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.

Harbaugh said the criticism is unwarranted and that the coaching staff is more to blame than the quarterback.

Harbaugh told reporters:

"Completely unfair. I wouldn't spend two more seconds thinking about what happened in that game. It didn't go good, and that's on me, that's my responsibility, that's my accountability. I really felt going into that tournament that we were as good as the best teams in the playoffs. Not just as good as any team, but as good as the best teams in the playoffs... We did him a disservice and didn't put him in the positions to be successful enough, but he played like a beast. … There's nobody 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 due to an injury. He threw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions, adding 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

A good year from Herbert was marred by his performance in the playoffs. He threw for 242 yards and a touchdown but gave up four interceptions in the 32-12 loss. One of his interceptions was a 38-yard pick-six that gave the Texans a 20-6 lead heading into halftime.

Herbert, who just wrapped up his fifth season in the NFL, is now 0-2 in the postseason. His other loss came in 2022 when Los Angeles lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.

But Herbert's two playoff losses haven't diminished 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's a lot of great quarterbacks in this league that may not have had the ideal start to their playoff career," Hortiz said. "Peyton Manning was 0-3 his first five years. Lamar Jackson's, it was 0-2. So if we're going to set a narrative on Justin off of two playoff games, that's absurd. What I watch this guy do, he's phenomenal, he's a phenomenal competitor, leader, playmaker. We'll roll with him. They're gonna roll me outta here before they roll him outta here, I can promise you that. He's special, and special things are ahead for him. Book it."

Herbert isn't going anywhere, as he's under contract through the 2029 season, and it seems Los Angeles has no desire to part with him. Instead, the Chargers will look to build around the star quarterback as they look to find success in Year 2 of the Harbaugh era.