LOS ANGELES – Jim Harbaugh had a seven-point lead, a fourth-and-one at his own 41-yard line and a defense that had kept Denver in check. He left his offense on the field. Justin Herbert’s quarterback sneak went nowhere, and the decision became the starting point for another Chargers collapse.
Harbaugh accepted responsibility after Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Broncos dropped Los Angeles to 0-5, its worst start since 2003. He returned to the decision Monday, apologized and said he remained determined to turn the season around before a road game against unbeaten Kansas City.
In the Chargers’ official postgame account, Harbaugh said: “It was the wrong decision.” He added: “I take 100 percent accountability for making that decision.”
With 10:33 remaining and Los Angeles ahead 17-10, the failed sneak gave Denver possession at the Chargers’ 41. The Broncos scored five plays later to tie the game. Harbaugh said he should have called timeout and punted after recognizing Denver’s defensive alignment.
That admission addressed a specific coaching error, not every reason for the five defeats. Herbert subsequently lost a fumble while trying to throw the ball away, then threw an interception on the next possession. Both turnovers led to Denver field goals. The Broncos scored the final 13 points, erasing the advantage Los Angeles had built in the third quarter.
Herbert also accepted responsibility for the failed conversion. He said: “It’s on me to get a yard.” The quarterback finished 14-of-24 for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and was sacked five times. Harbaugh nevertheless defended his competitiveness, describing a player trying to rescue an offense repeatedly placed in difficult situations.
The coach’s Monday apology did not soften his assessment. In ESPN’s report, Harbaugh said: “I regret that. I’m even sorry about that.” Asked about pressure from ownership, he described the Spanos family and himself as “shoulder to shoulder” and “in this fight together.”
The losing streak extends beyond this season. ESPN Research counted eight consecutive defeats dating to last year, the longest run of Harbaugh’s head-coaching career in college or professional football. The Chargers entered 2026 after consecutive 11-6 regular seasons, but the opening loss to Arizona has been followed by four more defeats.
The defense again supplied reasons to believe Sunday’s game could have ended differently. Denver gained 224 yards on 57 plays and converted only one of 12 third downs. Tuli Tuipulotu forced and recovered a fumble, setting up Kimani Vidal’s 42-yard touchdown run for the 17-10 lead. Earlier, Herbert had found Hayden Rucci for a seven-yard score to finish a 73-yard drive.
Protection and availability remain problems around Herbert. Four rookies started on the offensive line against Denver. ESPN reported that Joe Alt was still undergoing testing for a neck injury, while Kayode Awosika was rehabilitating a fibula injury. Ladd McConkey dressed but did not play, and Tre Harris was described as week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Those updates do not establish who will be available against the Chiefs.
In the team’s Monday update, Harbaugh said he was “hellbent on turning it around.” Kansas City is 4-0 and coming off its bye, while Los Angeles has a Week 7 bye after the divisional road game. Twelve regular-season games remain for the Chargers.
Harbaugh’s players have continued to express support. Khalil Mack said taking responsibility spoke to the coach’s leadership. That support leaves the immediate task unchanged: protect Herbert, avoid short fields and finish a game that the defense has kept within reach. Against Kansas City, another failed finish would leave Los Angeles 0-6.
