Harbaugh Disputes Rams Safety's 'Deli Meat' Criticism of Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh rejected a sharp criticism of starting quarterback Justin Herbert on Wednesday. The comments originated from a recent episode of the St. Brown Podcast, co-hosted by Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous St. Brown.

Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake appeared on the show to discuss the Week 8 matchup between the two Los Angeles franchises. Lake described the experience of defending against Herbert, noting that the quarterback appeared to see ghosts while throwing passes that were easy to intercept. He stated, "I mean he was throwing deli meat out there. He's seeing ghosts. I don't know what's going on but like, we knew we were going to get a couple. At least one."

Harbaugh addressed the remarks during a media session on Wednesday afternoon. He maintained that the comparison did not match his observation of the game. "As far as anybody else's opinion, I don't see that. Everybody's entitled to their opinion," Harbaugh said. "It's not what I see."

The statistical record from that specific contest supports the Rams' defensive performance. Herbert threw two interceptions, with Lake securing one of them. The Rams used those turnovers to defeat the Chargers 24 to 9. The loss dropped the Chargers to a 0-7 record and marked their second consecutive game without a touchdown.

Herbert's season metrics reflect the team's offensive struggles. He currently leads the NFL with 10 interceptions in seven games. He is also ranked last in the league with a Quarterback Rating of 32.6. The Chargers rank last in the NFL in points per game, averaging 14.1, and are second to last in total yardage with 2,018.

Harbaugh's support for Herbert extends to offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who joined the staff after leaving the Miami Dolphins. The head coach conceded that two specific throws in the Week 8 game could have resulted differently, but he generally believed Herbert performed well. Herbert himself was unaware of the podcast comments during his own press availability, stating he had not heard about the specific description.

The defensive success against the Chargers is part of a larger pattern this season. The Rams' ability to disrupt the passing game has been a key factor in their wins. As the Chargers seek their first victory, the coaching staff remains publicly unified behind the offensive unit despite the challenging statistical outlook.