Chargers coach rebuts 'deli meat' criticism: Harbaugh defends Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers are searching for their first win of the 2026 season after dropping to a 0-7 record. Head coach Jim Harbaugh publicly defended starting quarterback Justin Herbert following a new wave of criticism from an opposing player.

The dispute began when Quentin Lake, a safety for the Los Angeles Rams, appeared on the "St. Brown Podcast" co-hosted by Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown. The episode aired on Wednesday and focused on the Week 8 matchup between the two Los Angeles teams. Lake described defending against Herbert as an easy task, comparing the quarterback's throws to handling deli meat. He stated that Herbert was seeing ghosts and that the Rams knew they would get interceptions.

Lake said, "I mean he was throwing deli meat out there. He's seeing ghosts. I don't know what's going on but like, we knew we were going to get a couple. At least one."

The statistical record from that Week 8 game supports the Rams' defensive performance. Herbert threw two interceptions, one of which was picked off by Lake. The Rams used those turnovers to defeat the Chargers 24 to 9. The loss marked the second consecutive game in which the Chargers failed to score a touchdown.

Herbert's season metrics have drawn scrutiny from analysts and fans. The two-time Pro Bowler currently leads the NFL with 10 interceptions in just seven games. His Quarterback Rating, or QBR, stands at 32.6, which ranks last in the league. These numbers contrast sharply with his previous accolades, including the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Harbaugh addressed the comments on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference. He acknowledged that individuals are entitled to their own perspectives but maintained that the "deli meat" comparison did not match his observations. Harbaugh said, "As far as anybody else's opinion, I don't see that. Everybody's entitled to their opinion. It's not what I see."

The coach praised Herbert's overall performance against the Rams. He conceded that there were two specific throws in the game that he would have preferred to see different outcomes for. Harbaugh noted that perfection is not expected at the professional level.

Herbert appeared unaware of the specific podcast comments when he held his own press availability. When asked about the safety's description, Herbert said he had not looked into it or heard anything about it. He said he could not make a definitive comment on the matter.

Harbaugh's support for Herbert is part of his stance in backing offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel joined the Chargers after being fired by the Miami Dolphins. The offense has struggled to produce, ranking last in the NFL with an average of 14.1 points per game. The team is also second to last in total yardage, having accumulated 2,018 yards for the season.

The Chargers remain 0-7 with a search for a first victory ongoing. The dynamic between the coaching staff, the quarterback, and the media narrative remains a focal point. While the numbers suggest a team in crisis, Harbaugh remains publicly steadfast in his belief that the core of the offense is functioning as intended.