NFL · AFC West · Los Angeles, California, US · SoFi Stadium
One of football's most aesthetically gifted and narratively cursed franchises, the Chargers have produced Hall of Famers at an astonishing rate while producing championships at a rate of exactly zero. Justin Herbert is the latest generational talent trying to rewrite a story that always seems to end the same way.
Updated March 21, 2026
Jim Harbaugh's second season in Los Angeles produced an 11-6 record and a Wild Card berth, but the postseason was a bitter disappointment. The Patriots throttled the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round, holding Justin Herbert and the offense to just a field goal. The one-and-done exit left a sour taste after an otherwise strong regular season.
Justin Herbert adapted well to Harbaugh's system during the regular season, but the Wild Card loss to New England extended his troubling postseason track record. Herbert managed just 3 points against the Patriots' defense, and the Chargers' inability to score in the biggest moment raises real questions about what this team needs to break through in January.
Despite the ugly Wild Card loss, the Chargers' trajectory under Jim Harbaugh remains positive. The 11-6 record, physical identity, and defensive improvement are all real. Los Angeles needs to add explosive playmakers on offense to complement Herbert and ensure the next playoff appearance does not end the same way.