At a Glance
- Justin Herbert dropped to 0-3 in playoff games after a 16-3 wild-card loss to New England
- The quarterback broke a bone in his non-throwing hand and was sacked six times
- 27 Chargers players are headed for free agency with $103 million in cap space to work with
- Why it matters: A battered roster and aging core could force a major rebuild despite back-to-back postseason berths
The Los Angeles Chargers’ season ended the same way their last two did: with Justin Herbert searching for answers and the offense stuck in neutral.
A 16-3 wild-card defeat to the New England Patriots on Sunday extended the quarterback’s postseason record to 0-3. Herbert, still recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand, absorbed six sacks and rarely looked comfortable. The defense kept the game within reach, but the unit received little help from the other side of the ball.
Herbert Left Looking for Solutions
The 27-year-old signal-caller offered a blunt assessment when asked why his playoff record remains winless.
“Haven’t figured that out yet,” he said.
Herbert initially suffered the hand injury just over a month ago. While he insists the damaged hand is not a major obstacle, coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the reality after the loss.
“It’s an issue,” Harbaugh said.
The offensive line contributed to Herbert’s troubles. Nine different five-man combinations logged at least 50 snaps during the regular season after starters Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater landed on the sideline. The constant shuffling left the quarterback as the league’s most-hit passer, taking 129 regular-season hits and another 11 versus New England.
Offensive Struggles Doom Chargers
Keenan Allen, who re-signed with the franchise this season, returned to a familiar scene: an early playoff exit. Los Angeles has not won a postseason contest since 2018, and the wide receiver did not hide his disappointment.
“Definitely felt like we had a team that was very capable of making a run for it,” Allen said.
Instead, the offense produced only a field goal. Allen, now set to turn 34 shortly after free agency opens in March, had several key drops and voiced frustration at the unit’s inability to support the defense.
“They came back to bite us,” he said of the line’s injuries. “When the defense is holding the rope for so long, we got to help those guys out.”
The Chargers did achieve one milestone, finishing second in the AFC West and reaching the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since a four-year run from 2006-09. Herbert’s toughness was a driving force, yet the early exit again raised questions about the roster around him.
Impending Free-Agent Exodus
General manager Joe Hortiz faces a roster overhaul. Twenty-seven players are scheduled to hit free agency, including several notable names:
- Keenan Allen, the team’s most experienced wideout
- Khalil Mack, veteran outside linebacker
- Najee Harris, running back whose season ended in Week 3 with a torn Achilles
- Trey Lance, backup quarterback who made one start in Week 18 while Herbert rested
- Odafe Oweh, outside linebacker acquired via trade
- Trey Pipkins, offensive tackle
- Denzel Perryman, inside linebacker
- Teair Tart, defensive tackle
The front office does have flexibility. Overthecap.com lists the Chargers with $103 million in effective salary-cap space, among the NFL’s healthiest totals. Even so, difficult decisions loom on players such as guard Mekhi Becton, whose $12.5 million cap hit in 2025 could be wiped off the books after an injury-plagued, inconsistent season.
Coaching Staff Could See Shake-Up
Jim Harbaugh, hired to bring stability, offered little clarity on potential staff changes. When asked whether offensive coordinator Greg Roman could be replaced, Harbaugh replied, “We’re going to look at that, and everything.”
One departure already feels likely. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who followed Harbaugh from Michigan, has surfaced on multiple interview lists for the league’s eight head-coaching vacancies.
Draft Capital and Next Steps
The Chargers hold five selections in the upcoming draft, with compensatory picks already factored in:
| Round | Status |
|---|---|
| 1 | Own pick |
| 2 | Own pick |
| 3 | Own pick |
| 4 | Own pick |
| 6 | Compensatory |
They previously traded away their fifth- and seventh-round choices to acquire Odafe Oweh and safety Elijah Molden.
Los Angeles will attempt to build around Herbert while navigating roster holes along the offensive line, at running back, and across the secondary. Until the franchise finds a postseason victory, the same questions will follow its franchise quarterback.
Key Takeaways
- Herbert’s 0-3 postseason record remains a glaring blemish on an otherwise promising career
- The offensive line’s injury crisis directly contributed to the early exit
- A massive free-agent class and ample cap room give the front office opportunity-but also pressure-to reshape the roster
- Continuity on the coaching staff is uncertain, particularly if Minter lands a head-coaching job
- The 2025 draft offers a chance to infuse young talent into a roster that still believes it can contend
