Chargers Offense Struggles in Season-Opening Loss to Cardinals

Herbert connected with McConkey on three straight passes for 60 yards, and Omarion Hampton's 8-yard run capped an 8-play, 77-yard drive to tie the Cardinals at 7-7 as the Chargers opened 2026 on September 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Arizona answered with an 11-play drive finished by Jeremiyah Love's 5-yard touchdown run. The Chargers reached inside the Cardinals' 20 three times, scoring two touchdowns and failing once when Herbert was sacked for a 10-yard loss on fourth down at the Arizona 3 late in the first half. Arizona closed the half with a 61-yard, eight-play drive and Chad Ryland's 44-yard field goal for a 13-7 lead. McConkey caught an 8-yard touchdown in the third quarter, finished with five receptions for 82 yards, then left with a chest injury about six minutes later and did not return. Herbert was sacked three times after a career-high 54 sacks last season. The Chargers lost; theScore/AP report 28-16 and Sporting Tribune and Chat Sports report 26-14. CONTESTED: Final score 28-16 (theScore/AP) versus 26-14 (Sporting Tribune, Chat Sports). Herbert: 209 yards, one touchdown, one interception (Chat Sports); 7-of-9 for 118 first-half yards (theScore/AP). QUOTES: Jim Harbaugh said, "Some uncharacteristic things happened. Give (the Cardinals) credit for making them happen," and "I would call it sloppy at times. Too sloppy. That's something we need to get fixed." He also said, "A lot of areas to get better at," "But that's what you do. That's what you practice, that's what you teach, that's what you hold yourself and each other accountable to," and "That's what we're capable of." Justin Herbert said, "We just have to execute," and "It's on us as an offense not to have penalties. We got to score points in the red zone." Derwin James said, "We didn't come to play on all three phases, especially defense."