NFL Week 6 preview: Pressure mounting on Chargers’ Herbert, Harbaugh

Coming off a season where they somehow scraped together a playoff appearance despite a number of key injuries, the Chargers were once again the darling of the off-season.

They were healthier, they hired Mike McDaniel to run their offence and quarterback Justin Herbert was supposed to be entering his prime at age 28.

But for all the promise the summer brought, the start to the 2026 season has been an unmitigated disaster in L.A.

The Chargers enter a Week 6 matchup against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs winless, and the pressure on Herbert and head coach John Harbaugh is growing by the day.

"Yeah, I don't know what that message is," Harbaugh said after he was asked what he would tell his team when it dropped to 0-5.

For all the flashes of sky-high potential throughout his career, there's no question that Herbert has regressed this season.

Over his first six seasons in the league, Herbert had turned the ball over on 1.7 per cent of his offensive plays, per TruMedia . This season, that number has skyrocketed to 4.9 per cent, which is the highest mark in the NFL.

He's tied for the league lead with seven interceptions, many of which have come at pivotal points in the game.

Could some of it be blamed on more offensive-line injuries and his first season in McDaniel's offence?

But there's no question there is something off with Herbert this season, and that is a very troubling sign for the Chargers.

With his QB floundering, it will be fascinating to watch how Harbaugh handles the remaining 12 games of the season.

Could he move on from McDaniel? Would he consider taking over offensive playcalling himself?

Because while the playoffs may already be a pipe dream, there may be some uncomfortable conversations headed Harbaugh's way if things remain status quo.

Speaking of pressure, Marvin Harrison Jr. will be under the microscope across the pond.