Chargers could see changes to roster and coaching staff after another one-and-done postseason

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert and his broken left hand have plenty of time to recover now. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback was left with few answers after falling to 0-3 in his playoff career.

“Haven’t figured that out yet,” he said.

The Chargers (11-7) were soundly beaten by the New England Patriots on Sunday, losing 16-3 in a wild-card game that included Herbert getting sacked six times to waste opportunities created by the defense.

The Chargers haven't won a postseason game since 2018.

“Definitely felt like we had a team that was very capable of making a run for it,” said wide receiver Keenan Allen, who returned to the franchise this season but will turn 34 shortly after free agency begins in March.

The Chargers finished second in the AFC West and made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since a four-year run from 2006-09. Herbert was a big reason they did so, gutting it out while getting hit an NFL-leading 129 times in the regular season and another 11 times against the Patriots.

The 27-year-old quarterback had surgery to repair a broken bone in his nonthrowing hand just over a month ago. Herbert downplayed the state of his hand, but coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sunday's loss, “It's an issue.”

The offensive line was hit hard by injuries this season, including the losses of starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. That led to nine different O-line combinations playing at least 50 snaps together.

“They came back to bite us,” Allen said.

The offense didn't get much going against the Patriots, and Allen had a few crucial drops.

“Felt like we had a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball where we shouldn’t be in those situations,” he said. “When the defense is holding the rope for so long, we got to help those guys out.”

The Chargers have 27 players slated to be free agents.

Besides Allen, other unrestricted free agents include RB Najee Harris (torn Achilles tendon in Week 3 ended his season), backup QB Trey Lance (made one start in Week 18 while Herbert rested), OLB Khalil Mack, OLB Odafe Oweh, OT Trey Pipkins, LB Denzel Perryman and DT Teair Tart.

The Chargers have effective salary cap space of $103 million, according to overthecap.com. But with needs elsewhere, they could move on from G Mekhi Becton, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. He has a $12.5 million cap hit this year.

Harbaugh was asked Sunday if any offseason changes could include moving on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman and he said, “We’re going to look at that, and everything.”

Someone who seems likely to be gone is well-respected defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who came with Harbaugh from Michigan two seasons ago. He's on multiple lists to be interviewed for the eight head-coaching vacancies around the league.

The Chargers will turn their attention to free agency. They also have five picks in this year's NFL draft, with compensatory selections announced later. They have selections in each of the first four rounds and another in the sixth. Their fifth- and seventh-round picks were previously exchanged for Oweh and S Elijah Molden.

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New England Patriots cornerback Charles Woods (22) tackles Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (86) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks during a news conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Dominik Szoboszlai was hero and villain for Liverpool as the home side broke down a spirited Barnsley 4-1 on Monday to set up a FA Cup fourth round tie against Premier League rival Brighton.

The Hungarian midfielder gave Liverpool the lead after eight minutes when he silenced the travelling fans with a stunning 30-meter strike.

Jeremie Frimpong made it 2-0 when he cut in from the right and fired home a fierce left-foot shot.

But Szoboszlai offered Barnsley a way back into the game five minutes before halftime with a calamitous mistake that will feature in blooper reels for years to come.

His attempted backheel six meters in front of his own goal was poorly planned and shockingly executed and the chasing Adam Phillips only had to tap the ball into the empty net to make it 2-1.

“Sorry to the team,” Szoboszlai told broadcaster TNT Sports. “I made it hard for us with an easy mistake. Football happens and we move on.”

The midfielder was also lucky not to give away a penalty early in the second half as Barnsley made a mockery of its League 1 status.

The Yorkshire club took the game to its more storied rival and with the match still in the balance Liverpool coach Arne Slot was forced to call on his big guns, bringing on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké and Ibrahima Konate after an hour.

However, much of the action continued to revolve around Szoboszlai.

He cleared a Phillips shot off the line at one end and then set up Wirtz moments later only to see him blaze the ball over the bar.

Wirtz made amends six minutes from time when, with the visitor's energy levels dropping, he took an Ekitiké pass and curled a lovely shot into the far corner.

Ekitiké made it 4-1 in stoppage time when he tapped home a Wirtz cross.

It was an unfortunate end for a visiting team that acquitted itself admirably against a team 57 places above it in the league pyramid.

“I thought we were outstanding,” Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane said. “We got a bit tired at the end but we started so well. They brought on top player after top player.

“I wanted the lads to put in a performance that they could come away from and be immensely proud of and they can certainly do that."

Although the scoreline flattered the home side the result was Liverpool's 11th straight game without defeat and a sign of its ability to grind out results. Liverpool has not lost since November to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Brighton will come to Anfield on the weekend of Feb. 14.

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Barnsley's Corey O'Keeffe, left, and -mu73- fight for the ball during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Barnsley in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Barnsley's Vimal Yoganathan guards Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Barnsley in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after scoring during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Barnsley in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Barnsley's Adam Phillips celebrates after scoring during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Barnsley in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai reacts after scoring during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Barnsley in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)