Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert sounded like a broken record following a tough loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Viewed as the favorite to win Week 1’s matchup against a team with a rookie head coach making his debut, the Chargers failed to secure a win, absorbing a 26-14 loss to Mike LaFleur’s Cardinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., instead.
Los Angeles’ offense just couldn’t get things done. It generated 268 total yards and punted only twice, but the Chargers went 2/8 on third downs and 0/3 on fourth downs.
After the game, Herbert repeated the word “execute” when discussing the Bolts’ largely frustrating attack.
“We didn’t execute on third down and we had too many turnovers,” said Herbert, via Kris Rihm of ESPN.
He added, “I think it’s just on us to go out and execute the game plan,” and “It’s on us to be able to execute the protection plan.”
Herbert did not stop there.
“I think we just didn’t execute,” “Yeah, we just didn’t execute after that,” and “I think it’s on us just to execute” were also heard coming from the QB’s mouth.
Fans were quick to pounce on Herbert’s statements.
He’s making me want to execute myself
— zac (@zacraft0) September 14, 2026
I don't want to hear it anymore. I just want him to FIGURE IT OUT.
— Jennie Bailey (@TheJennieBailey) September 14, 2026
3rd and 15 and then runs the ball. 🤣 execute.
— Dusty Herbert (@DustinHerbo_213) September 14, 2026
I'd like to be executed after that game
— Taylor Ens (@TheEnsZone) September 14, 2026
I'm just wondering, did he feel like they executed?
— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) September 14, 2026
Herbert was outplayed by Arizona counterpart Jacoby Brissett, as he finished with just 209 passing yards and a touchdown with an interception on 17/27 completions. Brissett, on the other hand, went 27/27 for 277 passing yards and a touchdown with no turnovers.
Much is expected of the Chargers’ offense, especially following their hiring of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, but he didn’t exactly make a great first impression in his first regular-season game in that position.
Herbert and the Chargers will try again in Week 2, when they face NFC West rivals Las Vegas Raiders, still at SoFi Stadium.
