Why Chargers won’t be benching Justin Herbert anytime soon originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Chargers‘ 2026 season has gone from bad to worse. One big reason for their 0-5 start is having key injuries everywhere. Another is the poor play of quarterback Justin Herbert, who had two more turnovers in Sunday’s latest loss, 23-17 at home to Denver.
Herbert is now up to eight total turnovers in his five starts this season. His stats add up overall to being one of the league’s worst QBs: 85-for-143 (59.4 completion percentage), 937 yards, 5 TDs, 7 INTs, 6.6 yards per attempt, 17 sacks, 70.2 passer rating.
That’s not performing anywhere close to the level of a quarterback getting more than $218 million of a five-year, $262.5 million contract guaranteed. Unfortunately, that deal plus having no good alternatives is why Herbert won’t be seeing the bench for his well below-average play despite immense physical talent.
The Chargers have multiple players hurting on offense, including both tackles (Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt), the center (Tyler Biadasz), two wide receivers (Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston) and their best overall tight end (David Njoku). Herbert not having that support is tough, but as one of the league’s highest-paid QBs, he should be helping to lift the team through that adversity vs. succumbing to it as much.
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Herbert has strong job security, which also doesn’t help motivating him to get out of the slump. Backup QB Trey Lance (groin) was placed on injured reserve this weekend, meaning he’ll won’t be eligible to play until Week 10.
The Chargers’ current backup is DJ Uiagalelei, the former Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State quarterback who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026. Uiagalelei, who had his own share of turnover troubles while an ACC QB, actually can be worse that Herbert.
Firing former Dolphins Mike McDaniel early in his first year as Herbert’s offensive coordinator has been suggested. The problem with that is Jim Harbaugh has never called offensive plays as an NFL head coach. The only with such experience is passing game coordinator Adam Gase, the former Dolphins and Jets head coach, as well as former Broncos and Bears OC.
Harbaugh can’t bench Herbert and firing McDaniel won’t suddenly help the quarterback’s struggles with ball security. The only option is having Herbert playing out of the slump, now with no more pressure to lead the Chargers to the playoffs in a lost season.
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When can the Chargers get out of Justin Herbert’s contract?
Herbert is earning $24 million in base salary this season but in total, he comes with a salary cap hit of $46.353 million. He is locked into getting $36 million guaranteed in base for 2027, when he carries a cap hit of $58.345 million.
The earliest the Chargers can part ways with Herbert is in 2028. Depending on whether the trade or release comes with a June 1 designation, Los Angeles will need to eat $28.12 in dead money, either for one year is spread out for two years. They would save $43 million toward the ’28 cap for pre June 1, or $52 million post June 1.
It’s difficult to see the Chargers not playing Herbert when he’s still healthy. Unfortunately, changing from McDaniel would follow a pattern that has affected Herbert’s career. Going back to Shane Steichen in his rookie (and arguably still best) year in 2020 through McDaniel, he’s had five offensive coordinators in seven NFL seasons (see also Joe Lombardi, Kellen Moore and Greg Roman).
There’s no continuity and consistency to Herbert’s game, and the constant change of OC is becoming a factor as he’s learning something new almost every season. The Chargers’ best bet might the Colts parting ways with Steichen as their head coach so he can reunite with Herbert next season.
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