Taking part in within the opposing convention after which throughout the nation, Poona Ford didn’t know a lot about Justin Herbert earlier than the previous Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Payments defensive lineman signed with the Chargers. Nonetheless, in two profession video games in opposition to Herbert, Ford realized every little thing he wanted.
“He’s definitely, like, one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Ford mentioned.
The place Herbert matches precisely within the pecking order is the subject of endless debates on radio exhibits, tv segments and podcasts. A few of Herbert’s statistics have him amongst Corridor of Famers. He wants 153 yards passing to cross Peyton Manning for probably the most in NFL historical past by means of 5 seasons.
With 3,243 yards passing and 18 touchdowns this season, Herbert is near turning into the third participant with 3,000 yards and 20 landing passes in every of his first 5 seasons, becoming a member of Manning and Russell Wilson.
But relating to the present stars, Herbert is commonly an afterthought in comparison with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.
“We’ve anointed him, but he doesn’t seem to be in the category with those guys,” former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick mentioned final week on the podcast he hosts with fellow Amazon NFL analyst Andrew Whitworth. “I don’t think you can question his toughness. I think there’s still questions, maybe, about his leadership ability.”
None of these questions are coming from his locker room, the place Herbert has grown in esteem whereas preventing by means of ankle accidents to steer the Chargers to the brink of their first playoff berth since 2022.
“He’s a true leader,” heart Bradley Bozeman mentioned. “He’s got that just dog mentality, like he’s not gonna put up with any bulls—, he’s gonna be himself 100%, and he’s gonna expect excellence out of you.”
Herbert’s record-setting statistics have slowed this season because the Chargers (9-6) ushered in a brand new offense with unproven receivers. In the meantime, his AFC counterparts are placing up groundbreaking numbers seemingly every week.
Cincinnati’s Burrow and Baltimore’s Jackson have thrown for twice as many touchdowns as Herbert. The Ravens star is angling for his third Most worthy participant award by setting the NFL report for profession yards speeding by a quarterback whereas passing for a franchise-record 39 touchdowns with simply 4 interceptions.
Allen, one other MVP front-runner, has 26 landing passes and leads all AFC quarterbacks with 11 landing runs. Mahomes already clinched a first-round playoff bye for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The place Herbert trails probably the most is in postseason success: He’s by no means gained a playoff recreation. Herbert’s likelihood to assist change the narrative continues Saturday because the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win in opposition to New England.
The Chargers obtained to the brink of the postseason behind a clutch fourth-quarter efficiency from Herbert in opposition to the Denver Broncos. Herbert threaded pinpoint passes to receivers, scrambled on a foul ankle for 28 yards and, even when cameras weren’t trying, paced up and down the sideline to guarantee teammates they’d win the sport regardless of falling behind by 11 factors within the first half and getting into the fourth quarter down by 5.
No deficit scared security Derwin James Jr., who informed defensive teammates on the sideline that Herbert would shut out the win.
“Everybody just sees Justin and his talent and everything,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter mentioned, “but what that guy does to prepare, what he does to make everybody around better, what he puts on the line physically, as a quarterback, and dealing with any type of thing that he might be dealing with … everybody just follows those type of guys.”
Herbert was elected as one of many staff’s six captains within the preseason, together with Bozeman, James, offensive sort out Rashawn Slater, and linebackers Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman. The group has earned Jim Harbaugh’s belief to the purpose that the coach, who’s making an attempt to reverse years of mediocrity, was proud to say he has “bequeathed” the staff to his captains.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is first to congratulate Joshua Palmer (5) on his a two-point conversion reception in opposition to the Broncos.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
James is the unquestioned vocal chief who competes with fiery depth. Mack, by his admission, prefers to talk with actions. Herbert falls someplace within the center.
Smooth-spoken and reserved in public, Herbert has grown snug on the heart of pregame huddles the place he factors his helmet towards teammates whereas imploring them to play collectively and for one another.
Microphones usually catch Herbert’s alter ego — whom he known as “Football Justin” — dropping expletives which might be censored in social-media movies. The speeches are quick, direct and by no means fail to energise teammates regardless of usually following a well-known script, linebacker Daiyan Henley mentioned.
Herbert doesn’t need to say a lot else afterward.
“He makes those plays — that falling back, throwing from his left — that’s the spark,” Henley mentioned. “He speaks his mind, but more than anything, that play is what makes us want to go.”
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) factors towards Derius Davis after the receiver’s 19-yard landing catch in opposition to the Broncos.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
The play recent in Henley’s thoughts was the 19-yard landing cross Herbert threw to Derius Davis within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Broncos. Herbert escaped the pocket to his left and, with a defender bearing down, slung an off-balance cross to Davis, who reeled in his first profession landing.
After falling to the turf, Herbert didn’t know he had accomplished the cross till he heard the roar of the SoFi Stadium crowd. Teammates marveled on the play. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman known as it a “zero-gravity throw.”
Herbert deflected reward. It was all Davis, the quarterback mentioned. The receiver was the one who reacted first to the damaged play, minimize up the sector to search out open area and adjusted backward to the ball.
“I could have laid it out further to him,” Herbert mentioned.
That Herbert didn’t take credit score for one of many defining moments of season didn’t shock Roman.
“He passes on the good stuff. If something’s bad, he tries to take the blame,” Roman mentioned. “That’s what great leaders do.”
