Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was not happy with a reporter’s line of questioning about quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ inability to build a successful offense around him amid the team’s 0-4 start.
At his Monday press conference, Harbaugh responded to a question from reporter Kris Rhim of ESPN by saying Rhim had delivered an insult, not asked a question. Harbaugh had previously praised Herbert for how tough he was continuing to play on Sunday after taking some hard hits, and Rhim questioned why the Chargers’ offense hasn’t been able to better protect Herbert so he doesn’t take so many hard hits. That led to this exchange:
Rhim: “Jim, when you talk about he’s a warrior, he’s gritty, part of that is just him taking a ruthless beating because of, I don’t know if it’s the group in front of him, his protection, what’s going on, but when you came here, your charge was to get him protected. Mike’s [McDaniel] charge was to make sure he didn’t have to be a superhero, but 2.5 years later, like you said, he still has to be a superhero for you guys to have a chance to win the game. Why is that?”
Harbaugh: “Yeah, that just sounds more like an insult than it does a question, but if that’s the way you look at it. I’m saying that it’s the kind of competitor that he is where I’ve never seen him flinch. I’ve never seen him rattled. He’s an amazing inspiration and that’s what we do. We all feed off of that. I know the entire team does. And you ask me what gives me optimism, what gives me hope with this football team, because I see that throughout the entire team. And yeah, we attack, we improve, can’t improve everything all at once, but we can improve one thing at a time, all the time. And that’s what this team is doing.”
Rhim: “It wasn’t insult. I’m just asking if it’s the third season now and he’s still among the most pressured and hit quarterbacks. I’m just asking you why that is?”
Harbaugh: “I think I answered your question. I can answer it the same way.”
Rhim: “You can answer it the same way, but I don’t think you answered it.”
Harbaugh: “I think I did.”
Despite Herbert having his worst statistical season this year, Harbaugh has not wavered in his belief that Herbert is a great quarterback. It’s fair to ask why the Chargers can’t do more to protect such a great asset, and why this year’s Chargers have so far not won any games with him. Even if Harbaugh doesn’t like to hear it.