Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh wasn’t happy with a reporter’s question about quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ inability to build a successful offense around him amid the team’s 0-4 start.
In his press conference Monday, Harbaugh responded to a question from ESPN’s Kris Rhim by saying Rhim had offered an insult, not asked a question. Harbaugh had previously praised Herbert for how tough he continued to play Sunday after taking several hard hits, and Rhim questioned why the Chargers’ offense wasn’t able to better protect Herbert so he didn’t take so many hard hits. That led to this exchange:
Rhim: “Jim, when you talk about him being a fighter, he’s tough, part of that is just him beating mercilessly because of, I don’t know if it’s the group in front of him, his defense, what’s going on, but when you came here, your job was to protect him. later, like you said, he still has to be a superhero for you guys to have a chance to win the match?
Harbaugh: “Yeah, that sounds more like an insult than a question, but if you look at it like that. I’m saying he’s the type of competitor where I’ve never seen him shake. I’ve never seen him shake. He’s a tremendous inspiration and that’s what we do. We all know what the whole team gives me. It gives me hope with this football team because I see that in the whole team and yeah, we attack, we get better, we can’t improve everything at once, but we can improve one thing at a time, and that’s what this team is doing.
Rhim: “It wasn’t an 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 why is that?”
Harbaugh: “I think I answered your question. I can answer it the same way.”
Rhim: “You could answer it the same way, but I don’t think you did.”
Harbaugh: “I think I did.”
Despite Herbert having his worst statistical season this year, Harbaugh hasn’t 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 haven’t won a game so far with him. Even if Harbaugh doesn’t like hearing it.