The AFC’s quarterback and coaching chatter this week had a little bit of everything: a winless team trying to steady itself, a veteran passer adjusting his instincts, and a Chiefs situation that still sounds like it’s being handled behind closed doors.
In Los Angeles, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear the message is about fixing the problems, not pointing fingers. The Chargers are still winless, and Harbaugh said the organization is digging into the film and treating the turnaround as a collective responsibility.
“ First of all, it’s a team effort, and we’re going to look at the film,” Harbaugh said, via PFT. “ We’re going to address our issues, where we can get better, and just keep working.
That’s highly motivated and dedicated to getting this right. We’re the only ones that have the opportunity to change it, to fix it.
And that’s what we’re going to do, go back to work. I have not been in this position that many times either, here as a coach.
But I know we have to be dedicated ourselves to getting this turned. That’s where we’re at.”
Kansas City’s conversation centered on G Kingsley Suamataia, and both Andy Reid and Travis Kelce kept the focus tight. Reid said: “It’s just between Kingsley and I.” (Chiefs Wire)
Kelce, meanwhile, offered support for Suamataia while making it clear he’s ready for whatever comes next.
“He’s family. Everybody has their own road.
We love Kingsley; we think he’s a hell of a player. At this time, I’m not even sure what the scenario is.
I’m rolling with whoever we’ve got in that game. I’m sure Kingsley is drooling, trying to get back out there.”
And in Las Vegas, Kirk Cousins is already talking like a quarterback who knows exactly what it takes to build chemistry with a special target. The Raiders QB said Brock Bowers keeps getting open and drew a line from the tight end to some of the best receivers he’s ever played with.
“ I think what’s hard is when you play with Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson, or Justin Jefferson, you’re used to throwing to guys who are really open, ” Cousins said, via PFT. “ There were times, even when they would get doubled and I would progress off of them, and [Vikings head coach] Kevin O’Connell would say to me, ‘Still throw it to Justin when he’s covered.’
I was like, ‘I don’t like throwing to covered guys. I like throwing to open guys.’
The coaching point with Brock has been like it was with Justin, where it’s like, when he’s covered, you still need to throw it. That kind of breaks my instincts.
My instincts are to progress and throw to open guys. I think you can see there are moments this year where I can be better, and then there are moments where I’m starting to figure that out.
He’s made me right, if you will.”
In Other News...
Justin Herbert Debate Just Took A Wild Turn For The Chargers
Justin Herberts rough start has already put the Chargers in an uncomfortable spot, with the quarterback piling up interceptions and the team still searching for its first win of the season. The frustration around the offense has only grown as outside voices question what exactly is going wrong, even as theres no evidence beyond the on-field results to support anything more than a bad stretch.
Emmanuel Acho took the conversation in a far more extreme direction on his podcast, publicly floating the idea that Herbert could be underperforming on purpose or otherwise working against the Chargers. It is the kind of speculation that lands with a thud around a team already under pressure, and it only adds to the noise surrounding a season that has gone sideways fast while the coaching staff tries to steady the situation. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Lost Season Puts Joe Hortiz Under Trade Deadline Pressure
An 0-7 start has pushed the Chargers into a familiar but uncomfortable place, where the conversation has shifted from salvaging the present to shaping what comes next. With the NFL trade deadline set for Nov. 10, general manager Joe Hortiz is suddenly working under the kind of pressure that comes with a season already veering off course, and the front office has to decide whether it makes more sense to keep trying to patch holes or start collecting assets for a reset.
Justin Herbert still stands at the center of whatever the long-term plan becomes, which makes the next few weeks especially important for a roster that may need to be retooled around him. Veteran talent is the most obvious place to look for help in that process, and if Hortiz decides to lean into the future, the deadline could become less about chasing a miracle turnaround and more about extracting value from a lost year. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers May Refuse To Move Tuli Tuipulotu Despite Growing Buzz
Tuli Tuipulotu has become one of the more intriguing names to watch as the NFL trade deadline nears, and it is easy to see why. The 24-year-old pass rusher has been productive enough to draw attention around the league, while his contract situation has only added to the speculation surrounding him and the Chargers.
Even with the team stuck in a winless season, Los Angeles does not appear interested in turning Tuipulotu into a deadline move. The Chargers seem intent on holding their roster together for now, even as outside buzz grows and the unresolved future of a young edge rusher keeps the conversation going. [Read more 🡒]