Jim Harbaugh had an eye-opening regret after the Los Angeles Chargers’ stunning Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
After losing 26-14 to a Cardinals team that many expected to struggle mightily this season, the 62-year-old coach lamented the Chargers’ preseason preparation.
“We made some preseason-type of mistakes,” Harbaugh said during the team’s press conference on Monday. “Now in retrospect, I wish we’d played our guys a little bit more in the preseason and given them those reps.”
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks during a news conference after an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
The Chargers played their starters for brief stints in the team’s second and third preseason games, but clearly that wasn’t enough. Last season, the 3-14 Cardinals allowed 20.9 points per game, which was tied for 21st in the NFL with the Washington Commanders, but looked much better on Sunday.
Against a team that lost their last nine games last season, the Chargers’ offense scored just two touchdowns in the loss. The offense sputtered after losing Ladd McConkey to an injury in the third quarter.
Prior to leaving the game, McConkey recorded five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Harbaugh said the star wide receiver is day to day with a rib injury.
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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is slow to get up after an injury during the second half of an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The Chargers trailed by just two points when the former Georgia star left the game, and they did not score after McConkey’s departure.
In the loss, the Chargers had a blocked punt, an interception and another drive that ended with a turnover on downs. After the game on Sunday, Harbaugh called the performance sloppy.
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
“Some uncharacteristic things happened. Give (the Cardinals) credit for making them happen,” Harbaugh said on Sunday. “I would call it sloppy at times. Too sloppy. That’s something we need to get fixed.”
The Chargers will look to fix their mistakes when the play the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) at home at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.