Losing is never fun. For Justin Herbert, losing to a division rival like the Kansas City Chiefs is even worse.
That was the case on Sunday as the Chargers hung in with the reigning Super Bowl champions for much of the game before faltering late in the game. A Samaje Perine touchdown with six minutes to go was the difference as the Chiefs came out on top 17-10 to move to 4-0 while dropping the Chargers to 2-2.
Justin Herbert has a slow start to the 2024 season and his Week 4 sideline freakout epitomizes the up-and-down beginning. (Harry How/Getty Images)
During the contest, Herbert's emotions got the best of him as he completely lost his cool on the sideline during the third quarter. At that point, the game was still 10-10 but the Chargers had squandered a 10-0 first quarter lead. The camera panned to the sideline to catch Herbert taking both hands, grabbing his helmet, and swinging it as hard as he could into the bench.
WOW: #Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was PISSED OFF on the sideline, slamming his helmet into the bench.
???
HERBERT DOES NOT LIKE LOSING...
pic.twitter.com/ZMix4UPLrf— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 29, 2024
It was an uncharasteric move by the fifth-year pro, who tends to be far more reserved and not as outgoing with emotional antics.
"I've never seen him show that much emotion. Period," a fan wrote on X.
"Justin Herbert ready to die for the chargers. He's Philip river's reincarnated," one X user wrote.
Another X user commented, "He's frustrated just as we are. He will have rest as the bye week is here."
The Chargers started the game off on the right foot before stalling out. Herbert failed to throw for more than 200 yards and saw his backfield only string together 55 yards of rushing. The Oregon product has yet to eclipse more than 179 passing yards in a game this season.
Herbert has been gutting out these games with a high right ankle sprain. He's been wearing a brace and medical tape on his foot, which certainly makes everything off-kilter for him. It also hasn't helped that the Chargers' offensive line has made his life even more difficult.
"We've got to get Justin another half-second, second, we realy do," said head coach Jim Harbaugh after the Week 4 loss. "I mean, he's trying to get the ball out as fast as he possibly can, and he is... it's warrior-like, it's everything within his human power, and then some, is the way I look at it."
WHO PISSED OFF JUSTIN HERBERT THAT THEY MADE HIM SLAM HIS HELMET
— Lesli Yamilex (@ortega_lesli) September 29, 2024
It's understandable that Herbert has his frustrations. Many NFL fans didn't seem fazed by his sideline antics when considering everything that has been going on.
"We would all probably be doing the same with no [offensive line] and Greg Roman playcalling," another Chargers fan wrote.
Related: Chiefs 'Fearing The Worst' For Star Receiver Rashee Rice After Injury
