Chargers fans blame Madison Beer and beer for QB Justin Herbert's rough start

Justin Herbert’s difficult start to the 2026 season has produced an increasingly familiar reaction whenever a star athlete’s performance dips: attention has shifted from what is happening on the field to who is waiting for him away from it.

The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback became engaged to singer Madison Beer during the summer, months before his team stumbled to an 0-3 start.

After Sunday’s 24-16 loss to Buffalo some fans began jokingly, and in some cases seriously, suggesting that Herbert’s relationship had become a distraction.

One fan compared Herbert unfavorably to former Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf while referencing Beer , but the scrutiny has not been confined to social media. Hall of Famer Michael Irvin also questioned whether Herbert had enough focus on football.

“I come from an old school… where all focus must be on winning. Can’t have focus on anything else,” Irvin said. “You made the wrong drive. Driving your girl to the airport, but you can’t drive this team to that end zone?! That’s a problem.”

Herbert’s problems are showing up on the field

The football explanation is considerably less dramatic.

Herbert completed 20 of 34 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Buffalo, with the Chargers failing to capitalize despite their defense forcing five turnovers. Los Angeles reached the red zone four times but came away with only one touchdown and three field goals.

His interception was particularly costly. Herbert threw toward Marquez Valdes-Scantling near the goal line, only for C.J. Gardner-Johnson to step in front of the pass and return it 41 yards, helping Buffalo swing momentum late in the game.

Tom Brady was unsparing while analyzing the throw on the broadcast.

“Poor awareness, poor decision. Throws him a meatball sub,” Brady said.

Even Jim Harbaugh , who has consistently defended Herbert since becoming Chargers coach, delivered an unusually direct assessment the following day.

“Be better. Be better,” Harbaugh said of Herbert’s decision-making. “And that drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives Mike [McDaniel], the coordinator. I mean, drives us all.”

Herbert has hardly been alone in the offensive struggles.

Dropped passes, stalled red-zone possessions and problems adjusting to coordinator Mike McDaniel’s new system have contributed to an offense averaging only 16 points through its first three games. Harbaugh nevertheless publicly backed McDaniel after the Buffalo defeat, insisting the organization still trusts its coordinator.

Herbert also accepted responsibility afterward rather than searching for excuses.

“Obviously not where we want to be,” he said. “It starts with me. I’ve got to play better and allow our offense to score more points.”

That leaves Beer as an easy target for frustrated fans, but there is nothing connecting the Chargers’ offensive failures to Herbert’s relationship.

Los Angeles has legitimate problems to solve at 0-3. Herbert’s decision-making is clearly among them, but blaming his fiancée offers a much simpler explanation than the football actually does.