Jim Harbaugh blames Justin Herbert's rough start to "desperation time"

A month ago, Jim Harbaugh predicted Justin Herbert will retire as the greatest quarterback ever. Herbert's play this season, though, has brought questions about the quarterback.

The Chargers coach defended Herbert on Monday after the two-time Pro Bowler went 14-of-24 for 121 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a loss to the Broncos.

There are definitely times when he was trying to make a play, and too many times this season, there's been that desperation time," Harbaugh said, via Noah Furtado of TheAthletic.com. That's what I'd attribute that to. Doing anything and everything he can."

Herbert has five touchdowns and seven interceptions through five games. His nine turnovers tie him with Drake Maye for the most in the league this season.

Herbert's season high for interceptions is the 15 he threw in 2021, his second season, when he also threw 38 touchdowns.

Harbaugh said it is the team's responsibility to put Herbert in better positions to succeed.

I'm not going to tell him anything different," Harbaugh said. He's doing anything and everything that he can to help us win, and I applaud those that do that."