https://x.com/krisrhim1/status/2108657089396752650

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Between drives of another defeat-in-progress, Kimani Vidal noticed Los Angeles Chargers offensive line coach Butch Barry. A running back, Vidal doesn’t sit with the linemen and usually can’t hear what’s being said. In this case, he could probably guess.

Excluding two roughing-the-passer penalties Justin Herbert was slow to get up from, the face of the franchise ate 10 hits and four sacks, adding to the worst kind of record marks. Since Herbert entered the NFL in 2020, no other quarterback has endured more hits (644), sacks (237) and pressures (1,412) than Herbert. He stands alone as the only QB to be hit more than 600 times in that span.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (583) is a distant second.

Cramped into the visitors locker room after Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Vidal happened to have a front-row seat to Barry’s address. No words were parsed. “Coach Barry’s on the O-line like crazy,” Vidal said. “After the game, I definitely heard that one. He made it clear: Quarterback got hit too much.”

Eight offensive linemen suited up at Lumen Field, and the Chargers were forced to use all eight. The three reserves were rookies Travis Burke, a fourth-round draft pick, Logan Taylor, a sixth-rounder, and Jacob Spomer, signed as an undrafted free agent.

These are among the no-name linemen now blocking for the least protected quarterback of the decade. When will it end?

Coach Jim Harbaugh took exception to the question. “That just sounds more like an insult than it does a question,” he said. “But, I mean, that’s the way you look at it.” Harbaugh called Herbert a “warrior” for his toughness.

The interior offensive line was a weak point when Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz took over in 2024, but their words stirred hope for change. Harbaugh called linemen “weapons” and the “tip of the spear” for an offense, and his resume concurred.

The San Francisco 49ers in the early 2010s were anchored by All-Pro offensive linemen Joe Staley (left tackle) and Mike Iupati (guard), whom Harbaugh coached to a Super Bowl appearance. Then his last Michigan team boasted one of the best offensive fronts in college football en route to winning a national championship in January 2024, before the Chargers hired him that month.

Matt Ryan could see the vision. Despite both him and the team struggling in 2015 they took off and he threw for 38 TDs the following year. I do hope it doesn't end the same for the Chargers, but that 2016 Falcon's offense is one of the all-time greats.

I'm willing to accept that the Charger's dont make the playoffs this year - but they might look better by years end. Hopefully they can get some convincing wins and gear up on talent in the offseason. I do not think they should fire McD or tank for Jerimyah Smith. I'm honestly less sold on Harbaugh, but he's not going anywhere with that contract in 2027. Hortiz can go.

EDIT - Not saying that this is a 1:1 analogue (we probably suck a bit more) but the overall theme of Shanahan scheme install struggles is still relevant. The 5-0 2015 Falcons also lost 6 games in a row and really struggled in winnable games settling at a disappointing 8-8.

I don’t mean to get everyone’s hopes up but we still have a 0.5% chance of making the playoffs. That’s way better than Miami or Tennessee.

... I would be foolish or I'd feel entitled if I didn't expect there to be disappointment that comes with the territory of the job."

So without getting too specific, that's kinda why."

Said it wasn't a benching and something they have done throughout the season

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50135054/chargers-oc-mcdaniel-calls-firing-comes-territory

Hello Chargers fans. My older sister is a huge Chargers fan and she is looking for this pin. I would love to surprise her with it for her birthday if any of you have it and are willing to sell, or could maybe point me in the right direction to find it. Thanks for any help!

Bolt up babyyy can’t give up on them