Justin Herbert’s nightmare continues as Chargers lose again, but benching their $52.5 million QB isn’t the answer

The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-5 for the first time since 2003, and Sunday hurt more than most losses. They led the Denver Broncos by seven in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium, then gave up the final 13 points in a 23-17 defeat. Jim Harbaugh pointed the finger at himself afterward. Justin Herbert, the $52.5 million quarterback, is still absorbing most of the outside criticism, and calls to bench him are getting louder. The game, and the four before it, show why sitting him would be the wrong move.Should the Chargers bench Justin Herbert after the 0-5 start?Benching a franchise quarterback shapes the next five years, not the next five Sundays. Justin Herbert has not been sharp. Through four games he had completed 71 of 119 passes for 816 yards, with four touchdowns and six interceptions. NFL.com noted he was the first Chargers quarterback since Ryan Leaf in 2000 to reach six picks and 10 sacks that quickly. Those numbers are ugly. They also describe a passer who spends most snaps running for his life. Harbaugh has backed him all season, saying he respects no player he has coached more than Herbert.Sunday offered a fairer read.On third-and-seven at the Denver 30, Herbert slipped out of a muddy pocket, shook one defender, stiff-armed another and gained 23 yards. Two plays later he hit Hayden Rucci in the back of the end zone for the first Chargers touchdown. Los Angeles led 17-10. Then the game flipped. A fourth-down stuff, a lost fumble and an interception, all inside the Chargers' own 40, handed Denver three short fields and 13 points, the last a 19-yard Wil Lutz field goal with 5:07 left.Harbaugh owned it. He said he saw the Broncos tighten up before the fourth-down snap and wished he had called timeout and punted. "It was the wrong decision," he said.Why won't benching Herbert fix the Chargers offense?The bigger problem sits in front of him.Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, the starting tackles, both went down against Seattle last week. Slater is expected to land on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, and four rookies played on the line that day. Herbert was also the second-most sacked quarterback in the league last season. Denver got to him five times Sunday. A backup would face the same rush behind the same blockers.Seattle showed the pattern. The Chargers outgained the Seahawks 301 yards to 286 and still lost 30-23 after four turnovers and 16 penalties. Sunday brought a 237-224 yardage edge and another loss. That looks like a team beating itself.None of this lets Herbert off the hook. He has to protect the ball better, even when the pocket collapses. His opening-play interception against Seattle was the kind of gift opponents do not need. Kansas City is next, on Oct. 18 at Arrowhead, and the Chargers will bring the same quarterback, the same patched line and a coach who has already said where he puts the blame.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.