Shannon Sharpe questions Justin Herbert’s sacrifices amid Madison Beer role in winless Chargers start

The Los Angeles Chargers were a playoff team last season, but five weeks into 2026, they look nothing like a contender. With the toughest schedule in the NFL, the Chargers have started 0-5, that included a 26-14 loss to the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals. The Buffalo Bills , Seattle Seahawks , Kansas City Chiefs , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Texans , and Baltimore Ravens all await the Chargers before Week 10. Jim Harbaugh is under pressure , new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is fighting for his job and quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown five touchdowns to seven interceptions. It’s been an uncharacteristic start for Herbert, who normally dominates the regular season but struggles in the playoffs. Shannon Sharpe, one of the greatest tight ends of all time turned media personality, believes fiancee, Madison Beer, has to take a share of the blame. Shannon Sharpe blames Madison Beer for Herbert’s struggles Herbert announced his engagement to Beer in July through an emotional post on Instagram. Days later, a video of Herbert and Beer sitting on the sidelines at Chargers training camp went viral on social media. Sharpe shared his point of view on the quarterback’s disappointing performance, as he believes that Herbert should focus on the game rather than his personal life. “I would love to see another QB take time off to go travel the country with their girlfriend like they allowed [Justin] Herbert to do,” Sharpe said on the latest episode of the Nightcap. “They ain’t winning more than four-five games. He’s making multiple mistakes every damn game. “121 yards for a quarterback of that caliber? Why would you even wanna take off? You’ve heard all the great quarterbacks talk about the sacrifices that must be made in order to achieve a level of greatness.” Sharpe then questioned whether the Grammy-nominated singer and Herbert have prioritized football. “You need to have a partner that understands. She should have told him, ‘No, babe. I need you to stay here,” Sharpe added. “I need you to focus on the main thing.’ We think that everybody wants to be great. “Everybody don’t want to be great. Everybody says they want to be great until it comes time that you have to make sacrifices in order to be great. “You need a special type of partner. You need somebody that understands. You need a Savannah James.” Herbert and Beer’s whirlwind romance began last August on the set of a music video Beer was shooting at the time. Across the 2025 season, the superstar singer was a regular at Chargers games, with some suggesting her impact was turning Herbert into an MVP candidate. Herbert must swiftly silence the outside noise, regain his mechanics, and rediscover his MVP-caliber form, critics will continue to question his commitment. Join talkSPORT’s dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows. On Tuesdays, Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk to players past and present and break down what to look for across the league .