Is Jim Harbaugh on the hot seat? Chargers coach under fire after 0-2 start

In any aspect, the Los Angeles Chargers have not looked like an AFC contender through two weeks.

After dropping Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Raiders, 26-14, the Chargers are winless against a pair of opponents who did not make the playoffs last season and don't have high expectations for 2026. The Cardinals and Raiders have both thoroughly handled Jim Harbaugh's squad — so much so, that pressure could be starting to mount on the 62-year-old head coach.

Currently in his third season with the Chargers, it's far too early for Harbaugh to be fired, but a rather disastrous start to 2026 could lead L.A. to some tough questions soon.

Here's a look at why Harbaugh could wind up on the hot seat if the Chargers don't turn things around soon.

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Is Jim Harbaugh on the hot seat?

Harbaugh likely has some time before the Chargers would make any significant decisions — NFL teams don't typically cut ties with a coach they've had enough of until at least the mid-way point of a season. But with the way things have gone for Los Angeles through two games, it's getting easier to see a path to that point.

After losing 26-14 in their season-opener to a Cardinals team starting a bridge quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, and a lack of big names defensively, the Chargers did the same in Week 2. Kirk Cousins tossed three touchdown passes for the Raiders, again making Harbaugh's defense look like one of the worst in the NFL.

Through two games, the Chargers have allowed totals of:

• 52 points
• 530 passing yards
• 10 third-down conversions

While Brissett and Cousins are proven NFL quarterbacks, neither are expected to light up the stat sheet in 2026. Against the Chargers, they looked like the best versions of themselves.

Offensively, it hasn't been much better for Harbaugh's team. Turnovers have been a massive issue; Herbert threw his second and third interceptions of the season against Las Vegas.

Picked up where he left off 🙂‍↕️#LVvsLAC | 📺 Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/cSrQHPwttQ

The Chargers also had six fumbles as a team, though only one was lost to the Raiders.

In Week 1, Ladd McConkey's 82 yards and a touchdown led the wide receiver room. But with McConkey dealing with an injury, in Week 2, he managed just 35 yards as Tre Harris' one catch for 53 yards led his team's receiving totals.

The Chargers' blunders and other issues don't all fall on Harbaugh, with some bad luck perhaps involved. But on some level, they've looked like an unprepared team, and after consecutive early playoff losses in 2024 and 2025, frustration is mounting.

Don't need to see the result. Chargers are really rough rn. OL issues not just from the interior but the tackles too. Herbert not getting the ball out fast enough. Receivers dropping accurate throws. Run game mental errors. Defense lacks pass rush and size. Mess, mess, mess.

Part of the concern for the Chargers is also their upcoming schedule. After dropping two games against non-2025 playoff teams, the teams coming up for L.A. could make it even worse.

Chargers schedule 2026

After an 0-2 start, the Chargers will now have seven consecutive games against teams that made the playoffs in 2025, starting with a Week 3 matchup vs. Josh Allen and the Bills on the road.

Here's a look at the Chargers' remaining schedule: