Stephen A. Smith Calls Justin Herbert’s Chargers “Trash” After 0-2 Start to the Season

Justin Herbert threw 2 interceptions in a defeat to rivals the Las Vegas Raiders and are now 0-2 at the start the 2026 season.

Stephen A. Smith Calls Justin Herbert’s Chargers “Trash” After 0-2 Start to the Season

Justin Herbert (Image via IMAGO)

Stephen A. Smith unloaded on the Los Angeles Chargers and their star quarterback, Justin Herbert, after a 0-2 start to the season. Smith called the Chargers a “trash” team.

Before Week one, the Chargers were projected to take the next step in their growth. Jim Harbaugh entered his third year as head coach for Chargers; Mike McDaniel was appointed offensive coordinator, and reasonable upgrades were made to the offensive line, which was dead last in 2025.

Despite all the positive reinforcements, the Chargers lost back-to-back games to start the 2026 season. Following Sunday’s defeat to rivals the Raiders, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith questioned the Chargers’ legitimacy as an AFC West contender.

What the hell is going on with the Los Angeles Chargers? They are like the fair-weather step children to the Los Angeles Rams, who pay in the same damn Stadium in the same damn city… They are 1-0 and we are still looking at you and saying, ‘ya’ll are hot trash.’ What the hell is going on??

Stephen A. Smith said during Monday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take before the Rams-Giants game at SoFi Stadium

Herbert had thrown just 3 interceptions during the entire 2024 season. He has already matched that in just two games. Herbert has thrown 32 completions from 54 attempts (59.3%) for 401 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a passer rating of 71.6.

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Jim Harbaugh defends Justin Herbert after the Raiders’ loss

Harbaugh has always been a vocal supporter of Herbert. The former Oregon man is one of the reasons he accepted the Chargers coaching job in the first place.

Stephen A. Smith Calls Justin Herbert's Chargers "Trash" After 0-2 Start to the Season
Justin Herbert (Image via IMAGO)

Ahead of opening day, Harbaugh boldly proclaimed that Herbert has all the tools to become the best passer in NFL history. While his regular-season stats are on par with some of the best, he has yet to deliver in the postseason. In three previous attempts, Herbert has faltered on every occasion.

During last year’s playoff game, he was sacked 6 times and completed fewer than 160 yards. A year before that, he threw 4 interceptions and completed just 43.8% of his passes.

It seems Herbert’s postseason woes are manifesting in the regular season as well. The two interceptions in the Raiders’ defeat completely killed the momentum. And it did not help that Kirk Cousins threw 3 touchdowns from the other end.

Unlike Smith, Harbaugh is not that bearish on Herbert. He shielded his starting quarterback by pinning the blame on the receivers.

Reporter Kris Rhim tweeted:

[Jim Harbaugh said he felt like the team is letting Justin Herbert down and pointed to both interceptions… First was dropped by [David] Njoku; [the] second, he said, WR Derius Davis was supposed to be wider on his route… Two interceptions that were really exactly what he was supposed to do … But yeah, the ability to shake that off as a quarterback, I mean, that speaks volumes to who he is.

Tight end David Njoku had the ball in his clutches until it popped out, and Raiders rookie DB Hezekiah Masses was nearby to snag it for his first career INT. Masses secured his second INT in the fourth quarter right in front of Derius Davis’s facemask.

Herbert tried me twice, and I was just trying to make plays on the ball. It’s mine, it ain’t no 50-50 ball. I’m trying to get every ball.

Masses said about the interceptions

It’s only going to get harder for the Chargers to win games from here on out. In their next seven games, they face the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. The Chargers realistically could be 2-7 or 1-8 by the end of that stretch.

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