The Los Angeles Chargers led the Denver Broncos 17-10 entering the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on Sunday and lost 23-17, giving up the final 13 points of the game. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 0-5, after FanDuel had it sixth in the league in Super Bowl odds in late August.
Jim Harbaugh had spent most of his postgame news conference taking the blame for a fourth-down call. Near the end, he was asked a broader question about what his message is to a winless locker room.
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (left) and general manager Joe Hortiz react during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“I don’t know what that message is,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just in the players to just fight their hearts out, to play, give it everything they have. That’s the only way. That’s the best way.”
Harbaugh pauses between phrases and trails off at the end, and the answer spread across social media within minutes. This is the coach who made “Who’s got it better than us?” a rallying cry at Michigan, and on Sunday he had nothing ready.
The play he could explain came with 10:33 left. Facing fourth-and-1 at their own 41 with a seven-point lead, the Chargers stayed on the field, and Justin Herbert was stuffed on a quarterback sneak. Denver tied the game five plays later.
“It was the wrong decision,” Harbaugh said. “I can’t think of a time I’ve ever been more mad at myself.”
He added that he considered calling timeout and punting after seeing Denver’s defensive front.
“When I saw them gap down, I really felt like I should call timeout there and punt the ball,” Harbaugh said. “I take 100 percent accountability for making that decision. It turned the momentum of the game. It was the wrong one and I’ve got to be right on those.”
#Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was asked what’s the message to his 0-5 locker room.
His answer: https://t.co/4tf9IaPHRH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 12, 2026
Who knows do the Chargers go from 0-5?
Harbaugh broke down a single snap in detail and then went blank on the bigger question, and the gap between those answers is where the Chargers’ season sits. The fourth-and-1 explains how Sunday slipped away, but its a fact that five straight losses need more than one wrong call to explain them.
After the sneak, Herbert lost a fumble on a throwaway attempt that set up Denver’s go-ahead field goal, then threw an interception that led to another. That brings him to nine turnovers in five games, seven of them interceptions, behind an offensive line missing Rashawn Slater, Trey Pipkins III and Trevor Penning to injured reserve.
Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh after the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Harbaugh’s first two seasons each ended with a Wild Card exit, 32-12 to Houston and 16-3 to New England.
Bringing in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel this offseason was supposed to be the next step past those losses. But as we see it, the Chargers are winless five weeks into a season that started with Super Bowl expectations.
Los Angeles visits the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 before its Week 7 bye.
Related Stories:
Oregon DT Bear Alexander faces Big Ten question after Nico Iamaleava’s play
Ugly scene unfolds at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Georgia players leave the field
Steelers WR DK Metcalf has one-word response about Colts CB Sauce Gardner
Mike Elko targets a specific group of Texas A&M critics after loss at Missouri
Lane Kiffin points to one problem after LSU’s overtime loss at Kentucky
The post Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh gives telling answer about message to 0-5 locker room appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.