There was much anticipation for the LA Chargers' first playoff in the Harbaugh era, but there were also some concerns. For much of the season, the offensive line had been a problem in pass protection, wide receivers had been inconsistent at best with rookie sensation Ladd McConkey being the lone exception, and without J.K. Dobbins in the backfield, the running game sputtered.
On defense, concerns about the health of the secondary worried fans in a matchup against C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. For all the worries critics had, few could've seen that one of the Bolts' biggest liabilities in Saturday's playoff loss would end up being quarterback Justin Herbert.
While the offensive issues that plagued the Chargers all season long played a huge role in Saturday's loss, it cannot be denied that Justin Herbert played one of the worst games in his professional career. His four-interception game reignited the questions about whether is one of the league's best at the most important position in sports.
Following Saturday's loss, Herbert's ability to compete against a true defense and his ability to win in the biggest moments have been called into question by the media and fans. Just don't count head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz among these critics.
On Wednesday, Harbaugh and Hortiz sat down with reporters to address the end of the season and their plans going forward. Harbaugh made it clear that his faith in Herbert has not wavered:
"We did him a disservice. Didn’t put him in the position to be successful."Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh is correct. The reality is that the Chargers did not put Herbert in a position to be successful on Saturday. Drops by wide receivers, a constant issue for this team last year with Quentin Johnston (that sadly reared its ugly head again on Saturday), and the overall lack of talent in the skilled position forced Herbert into a position to try to force passes. One of his four interceptions came from a tipped pass because of a receiver not doing his job.
In reaction to the game, Jim Harbaugh rightly called out his offensive line while conceding that the Texans' pass rush is the best that the team has seen this year. The O-line, especially in the interior, has been a problem all season long and they had one of their worst outings this year on Saturday.
Harbaugh is right, the team did do him a disservice. Even still, if Herbert is as good as we have all believed him to be, he has to rise above these deficiencies. The great ones find ways to win even when their team is not good and they elevate average players. Herbert has not done that and it is an open question of if he ever will.
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz rushes to defend Justin Herbert as well
Jim Harbaugh was not the only one to rush to the aid of his QB, general manager Joe Hortiz did as well. And he was even more dedicated to his quarterback than Jim Harbaugh was:
"They’re gonna roll me outta here before they roll him out of here."Chargers GM Joe Hortiz
Well that could not possibly be any clearer. Hortiz would point out that elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Peyton Manning have struggled in the postseason. He is correct about that. Manning struggled for six years and suffered embarrassing playoff loss after playoff loss before finally winning his first Super Bowl.
Jackson has a 3-4 record in the playoffs as each promising Ravens season during his run at the helm has ultimately ended in defeat. Manning eventually got it together to win two championships, but Jackson has not as of yet. Herbert? Well, he's 0-2 in the playoffs and both losses were in humiliating fashion.
It is great that Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz are standing by their man. And they should. Justin Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, but there have been plenty of talented quarterbacks that were playoff failures. The lucky few are the ones who rise above adversity to become playoff successes and league greats. It remains to be seen which way Justin Herbert will go.
The upcoming offseason is crucial for Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers. Right now, Herbert's bosses are sticking with him and promise to upgrade the team around him. If and when Harbaugh and Hortiz do, it will be on Herbert to deliver.