While there was still three different winless teams in the NFL, the Chargers were able to stay out of last place of the league’s various power rankings thus far. After the Titans earned their first win Week Six, and the Chargers once again setting a new low bar for their offense against the Chiefs, some analysts just couldn’t find a remaining reason to keep them any higher.
This is the first 0-6 start to a season for the Chargers since 2000, a year they finished 1-15. With the Rams and Texans up next
after the bye, this franchise is going to have to wait a bit longer to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel.
Let’s go ahead and see just how bad the damage is after their latest loss.
ESPN – #31
“The Chargers’ offense under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is a major reason they’re winless. The Chargers’ average points dropped to 15.0 per game with Sunday’s loss, which ranks 30th in the NFL. They are averaging 287.2 yards (26th). Quarterback Justin Herbert has a league-worst eight interceptions and the lowest QBR (29.9). And the team has consistently struggled to put together sustainable drives. Case in point? They had four three-and-outs against the Chiefs to go along with two turnovers. Whatever light is at the end of the tunnel is pretty dim.” – Anthony Gharib
USA Today – #31
“By most relevant metrics, Justin Herbert has been one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks this season. Maybe he was a tad overrated to begin with, but he certainly was never, ever this bad. Hi
s downfall lies mainly at the feet of Mike McDaniel, which, in turn, also reflects poorly on Jim Harbaugh, who chose to bring in the offensive coordinator in the first place. In other words, the winless Chargers have entered “the finger-pointing” phase of their nightmare season. It won’t end well for anyone.” – Robert Zeglinski
Bleacher Report – #31
“The Los Angeles Chargers entered 2026 with high expectations after back-to-back 11-win seasons. They head into the bye week one of two remaining teams in the league who have yet to win a game.”
“Simply put, the Chargers aren’t doing anything well. Los Angeles ran the ball 22 times Sunday—for 73 yards. Justin Herbert barely cracked 200 passing yards and hsn’t thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game yet this season. The offensive line is in shambles. No team in the league has turned the ball over more.”
“While addressing the media after the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh said changes are coming over the bye week.”
“‘Definitely, offensively, we need to evaluate,’ he said. ‘We need to look at it all — everything we’re doing, how we’re doing it.’”
“I hope embattled offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is renting.” – Brad Davenport
Yahoo Sports – #31
“The Dolphins and Chargers are the last winless teams. While it seems like the Chargers are far better than the Dolphins and won’t seriously challenge Miami for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, maybe they are as bad as they’ve looked. The Chargers are 31st in DVOA, and a distant 32nd in EPA (expected points added) per play on offense. They are ninth in EPA per play allowed on defense, which provides more hope. But overall the Chargers are as bad as their record.”
‘‘The offense is at -0.209 EPA per play, and the Titans are the next worst at -0.133. It wouldn’t be a surprise if offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, a popular offseason hire, is removed from that role soon.” – Frank Schwab
The Athletic – #32
“Ranking the most disappointing part of the Chargers’ season so far would be tough, but we’ll go with Hampton. The second-year back was drafted 15th on average and is 133rd in scoring (9.6 ppg). He has topped 60 rushing yards in a game only once, and he’s averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Amazingly, the most valuable Charger from a fantasy perspective this year is quarterback Justin Herbert, who is 109th in scoring at 10.4 per game.” – Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
Pro Football Talk – #32
“Has any team ever failed so badly to live up to their preseason expectations?” – Mike Florio
