Jim Harbaugh: Justin Herbert had one of the grittiest performances I've seen on Sunday

Published October 5, 2026 07:14 AM Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw two interceptions and lost a fumble as his team lost another game on Sunday, but head coach Jim Harbaugh remains confident in his quarterback.Herbert shook off some hard hits and kept fighting, and after falling behind 27-6, the Chargers had three long scoring drives in the second half. The Chargers ultimately lost 30-23 to the Seahawks, falling to 0-4 on the season, but Harbaugh loved seeing Herbert competing until the end.“It was one of the grittiest performances I’ve ever been associated with from a quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “When I say the fight out of our entire team was good, I think that’s epitomized by Justin. There’s no player I’ve ever coached that I respect more, or love the way he competes more, than Justin Herbert.”Harbaugh, who said last month that he thinks Herbert will be remembered as the greatest quarterback of all time, said he remains an enthusiastic backer of Herbert’s.“The grit, the competitiveness, the fight, the skill is what I admire,” Harbaugh said of Herbert. “We’ll take this team and keep fighting. Keep fighting, keep growing, that’s what we’re going to do.” Harbaugh acknowledged that the four sacks Herbert took were a problem but said that’s on the rest of the team to protect him better.“The quarterback taking the hits he did, there’s nobody I respect more, and protecting him is always at the front of the mind,” Harbaugh said.The Chargers are not a good team right now, but Harbaugh does not believe that’s Herbert’s fault at all.