The Chargers Again Are Unable to Protect Justin Herbert

At some point, the Los Angeles Chargers have to figure out how to protect Justin Herbert. Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans was another example of just how bad things have gotten up front. Herbert was sacked eight times, a career high, as the Chargers once again failed to give their franchise quarterback the protection he needs to succeed.

Eight sacks in a single game is unacceptable, especially when you consider how much this team has invested in building around Herbert. The offensive line has been a problem throughout the season and Sunday was arguably its worst performance yet. Houston’s pass rush had its way with the Chargers for practically the entire afternoon, making life miserable for Herbert from the opening quarter.

What makes this even more frustrating is that this isn’t a new problem. The Chargers have struggled to keep Herbert upright for years, and despite changes along the offensive line, the results haven’t improved. Injuries have certainly played a role, but at some point, the organization has to take responsibility for its inability to put a dependable group in front of its quarterback.

Herbert finished the afternoon completing 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also suffered an apparent injury to a finger on his left hand after taking another sack in the fourth quarter. Although Herbert took responsibility for some of his struggles and acknowledged that he could have gotten the ball out quicker, there is only so much a quarterback can do when defenders are consistently getting into the backfield.

The Texans have a talented defensive front, but allowing eight sacks is a reflection of a much bigger issue. Houston finished with eight sacks, with Will Anderson Jr., Sheldon Rankins and Jadeveon Clowney each recording two. The Chargers simply had no answers for the pressure.

There are also questions surrounding the coaching staff and the offensive scheme. Mike McDaniel moved to the booth for Sunday’s game in hopes of finding a better way to get the offense moving. However, the results were largely the same. The Chargers struggled on third down, couldn’t consistently sustain drives and didn’t find the end zone until the fourth quarter.

The bigger concern is what this is doing to Herbert. He is supposed to be the centerpiece of this franchise for years to come. Instead, he continues to take unnecessary hits behind an offensive line that can’t consistently protect him. With the Chargers now sitting at 0-8 and having lost 11 consecutive games dating back to last season, there aren’t many positives to take away from this season.

The Chargers need to make protecting Herbert a priority, whether that means personnel changes, adjustments to the offensive scheme or both. Continuing to put him in these situations is not a recipe for success. Herbert has shown throughout his career that he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but even the best quarterbacks need time to operate.

Eight sacks should be a wake-up call for this organization. The Chargers cannot continue to waste Herbert’s prime by failing to address one of the most important parts of the football team. If things don’t change, it is difficult to see how this offense is going to turn things around.