Very few units around the NFL received more fanfare entering the 2026 season than the Los Angeles Chargers' offense.
Many expected the Chargers' offense to take a major step forward after adding offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to the fold. The thesis revolved around McDaniel's penchant for designing a quality running game and Justin Herbert being the best quarterback the 43-year-old coach had worked with during his career.
However, the new-look Chargers offense fell flat in a big way to open the 2026 campaign. They notched just 14 points and struggled throughout a shocking 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chargers' offense never quite jelled during their season-opening game against the Cardinals. They were outgained 393-268 and particularly
struggled to run the ball, which was a surprise given McDaniel's reputation as a run-game guru.
Omarion Hampton – from whom many are expecting a second-year breakout – had a nice, powerful touchdown run early in the game. However, that was his lone highlight in an otherwise lackluster day. He finished with just 43 yards on 12 carries and didn't show off as much explosiveness as hoped while averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Part of the problem was related to the Chargers' offensive line play. Los Angeles' interior offensive line endured particular issues blocking in front of Hampton – and Herbert, who was sacked three times against Arizona – while rotating repetitions at left guard between Kayode Awosika and Trey Pipkins.
Jim Harbaugh told reporters following the game the unorthodox rotation was "the best thing for [the team]" but declined to provide specific details about it.
Either way, Los Angeles' inability to generate a consistent running game – along with playing from behind – forced the Chargers to rely heavily on their passing game.
Herbert and his receivers often appeared to be on different pages, which prevented the team from generating much rhythm through the air. Ladd McConkey was the lone wide receiver who appeared to build some chemistry with Herbert, but he suffered a chest injury in the third quarter and did not return.
Some highlights of the inefficiency: Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris were targeted a combined 12 times but generated just five catches for 37 yards. Additionally, each of the Chargers' final four possessions ended with turnovers, with two coming on downs, one coming on an interception and one coming on a blocked punt recovered by Arizona.
And Herbert finished the day having completed 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked three times. His 83.7 passer rating was his sixth-worst in a regular-season game under Harbaugh's tutelage.
Harbaugh repeatedly called his team's performance "sloppy" during his postgame news conference. He wasn't entirely displeased with his team's offensive performance, nothing they had a handful of quality drives that simply ended up empty, but he still opined the team would have to make major strides to improve moving forward.
"A lot to get better at, a lot to fix," Harbaugh told reporters.
The Chargers will get their first crack at doing so in Week 2, when they face the Las Vegas Raiders.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Justin Herbert, Chargers offense fell flat in shocking loss to Cardinals
