Jim Harbaugh stirs controversy with defense of Chargers’ offensive line struggles
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has recently garnered criticism for his seemingly dismissive stance on the team’s offensive line performance. Following the Chargers’ narrow victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, his comments have done little to quell the growing frustration surrounding the unit’s struggles.
In a game that showcased the immense pressure on quarterback Justin Herbert, it was glaringly evident that the offensive line failed to provide adequate protection. Playing just one week after undergoing surgery on his broken non-throwing hand, Herbert endured a punishing night as he faced relentless pressure from defenders. The statistics reflect the chaos: Herbert was sacked seven times, and the Chargers’ offensive line posted a dismal pass block win rate of 53.9 percent, the worst in the NFL for that week, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
A night to forget for the offensive line
The performance of the offensive line was particularly alarming. Right guard Mekhi Becton struggled significantly, ranking 52nd among guards in the league, while the overall unit struggled to contain A-gap pressures, leading to a cascade of hurried throws and unnecessary hits on Herbert. In a surprising twist, Herbert even led the team in rushing, scrambling for 66 yards on ten carries, further risking his health in an already precarious situation.
When pressed about the breakdowns in protection, Harbaugh’s response seemed to deflect accountability. He acknowledged that the communication regarding A-gap pressures “wasn’t perfect” and emphasized the need for improvement from the running back position to alleviate some of the pressure on the offensive line. “We can do a better job at that running back position, and we will, of getting that picked up,” he stated, as reported by The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.
Grading the offensive line performance
The individual performances of each lineman further illuminate the issues at hand. Here’s how the Chargers’ offensive linemen graded in terms of pass block win rate (PBWR):
Left Tackle Jamaree Salyer: 9th
Right Tackle Bobby Hart: 48th
Left Guard Zion Johnson: 42nd
Right Guard Mekhi Becton: 52nd
Center Bradley Bozeman: 18th
These rankings underscore the glaring disparities within the offensive line, with only Salyer performing near an acceptable level.
As the Chargers navigate the season, Harbaugh’s remarks will likely continue to draw scrutiny, especially given the mounting evidence of a beleaguered offensive line that has struggled to protect their star quarterback. The road ahead will require both introspection and decisive action to turn the tide for this struggling unit.
