Jim Harbaugh left Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night promising a full review of a Chargers offense that has stopped producing, and he would not commit to Mike McDaniel keeping the play sheet after a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs dropped Los Angeles to 0-6.
Asked directly whether his offensive coordinator would go on calling plays, Harbaugh answered that the staff is “going to look at everything.” He framed the problem bluntly and put the blame on himself first, saying the job he is doing “starts with me.” His plan, he explained, is to study the film and then sit down with the offensive coaches before deciding anything. No change was announced on Sunday.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 18, 2026
Why the question is now unavoidable
The numbers behind the head coach’s words were stark. Los Angeles failed to reach the end zone, gained 259 yards and turned the ball over twice. Justin Herbert was sacked four times and finished 22 of 37 for 204 yards with an interception, adding 26 yards on five scrambles. The ground game, which had averaged 128.2 yards entering the week, managed 73.
The deficit was settled early. Kansas City built a 19-3 lead by halftime, and Kenneth Walker III did most of the damage on the ground with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The brightest offensive moment for the visitors was a 57-yard completion to Quentin Johnston, one of the few times Herbert had time to push the ball downfield.
The defense, run by Chris O’Leary, had its moments, taking the ball away and making stops near its own goal line. It also lost cornerback Deane Leonard, who was ruled out during the game with a concussion.
From the playoffs to the bottom of the league
The fall has been steep. The Chargers went 11-6 and reached the postseason a year ago, and McDaniel arrived this year to run the offense around Herbert. Six weeks in, Los Angeles owns the worst record in the NFL, and its quarterback has been under pressure and giving the ball away far more often than in his best seasons.
Harbaugh’s comments stopped short of a decision but left every option open, from tweaking the game plan to moving play-calling duties. The timing gives him room to act: the Chargers have a bye in Week 7, the natural window for a staff shake-up or a reset of the offensive approach.
What comes next
After the bye, the Chargers visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, November 1, at 4:05 p.m. EST, still chasing their first win. Full numbers from Sunday’s game are in the Game Center, and the season to date is on the Chargers team page.
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