Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh after Week 1 loss: ‘I wish we played our starters more in the preseason’

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke with reporters on Monday following the team’s Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Harbaugh gave injury updates, but then discussed the upset loss. The head coach expressed regret about having chosen to rest starters for much of the preseason. Harbaugh pointed out that he believed the team made several “preseason type mistakes” that could have been avoided with more game reps for the starters ahead of the regular season.

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The Chargers were expected to be a playoff contender this season. This was due to the hiring of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, with many excited to see how creative he could be with quarterback Justin Herbert, who has not been able to take the next step toward becoming an elite QB so far in his career.

McDaniel and Herbert got plenty of work in during offseason practices. The first game of the regular season, though, did not go their way.

Herbert finished the game 17 of 27 passing for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also scrambled five times, picking up 29 yards.

The offense looked fine at the start, scoring a rushing touchdown on its first drive of the game. LA’s next three possessions ended in a fumble, a turnover on downs, and a third-quarter punt.

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Herbert finally found the end zone later in the third quarter, connecting with wide receiver Ladd McConkey for an eight-yard score.

After the score, though, the offensive output stopped. The Chargers ended the game with a punt, a blocked punt, an interception, and then back-to-back turnovers on downs.

The interception was especially problematic. Herbert looked like he threw a prayer, hoping for the best, but it was easily intercepted in double coverage.

Harbaugh’s comments were not only tied to the offense. LA’s defense allowed 26 points to Jacoby Brissett and the No. 3 overall pick, Jeremiah Love, in Mike LaFleur’s head-coaching debut.

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The Chargers had seven penalties for 64 yards, while the Cardinals had eight for 111 yards. LA, though, had two turnovers compared to none for Arizona and went 2-8 on third downs and 0-3 on fourth-down attempts.

The Week 1 home loss stings, but the Chargers will have to shake it off quickly. Los Angeles will return to SoFi Stadium in Week 2 and will welcome the Las Vegas Raiders.

While that may seem like an easier matchup on paper, the Raiders are coming into the game after a 27-13 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins, and may have tight end Brock Bowers back, who missed Week 1 after a procedure on his knee.