Head coach Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers talk before a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“He’s not only one of the best in the game currently, he’s one of the best of all time.” That’s what Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh said about Justin Herbert just a few weeks ago. While Herbert may not be in most all-time conversations, Harbaugh isn’t wrong to say that his quarterback is among the best in the league right now. The Chargers are comfortably in a playoff position at 8-5 with just four games remaining in the season. Herbert is playing the best football of his career under Harbaugh. What has Jim Harbaugh done to unlock Justin Herbert?
Sleeping Giant
Justin Herbert has been among the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL for most of his time as a pro. He’s often been described as one of the best processors in the league. Herbert can read defenses and arrive at the correct decision as quickly as almost anyone. Early in his career, this has often been a fault of Herbert’s. He can become so focused on making the correct decision that he passes up chances to make game-changing plays.
This season, it’s been a different story. According to PFF, Justin Herbert has made 26 big time throws (PFF defines the stat as passes “with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window”) this season. That ranks third in the league, just behind Josh Allen and Sam Darnold. He’s hit big time throws on 6.7% of his pass attempts. Prior to this year, his highest mark in that category had been just five percent. Herbert is more willing to make difficult throws than he’s ever been, and it’s leading to wins.
Praise Leads to Confidence
From the moment Jim Harbaugh arrived in Los Angeles, he’s heaped praise onto Justin Herbert. Whenever he’s asked about his quarterback, Harbaugh makes it abundantly clear just how glad he is to have Herbert in Los Angeles. This unconditional acclamation may be seen by some as hyperbolic or even ridiculous, but it’s making a difference in the way Herbert plays. Justin Herbert has hit career highs in both passer rating and yards per attempt this season, all without a star receiver on the roster.
Lightening the Load on Justin Herbert
Though Herbert’s play has undoubtedly been the highlight of the Chargers’ offense this season, Los Angeles is allowing him to share the load of offensive responsibility. The Chargers have not been particularly successful in the running game this year. They rank in the bottom ten in the league in rushing yards per attempt. However, they’ve consistently emphasized the running game in order to lighten the load put on Justin Herbert. Los Angeles is averaging two more rushing attempts per game this year compared to 2023. It’s a minor change, but it’s allowed Herbert to play at a higher level.
What’s Next for Justin Herbert and the Chargers?
No matter how this season finishes for the Chargers, it should be considered a success. This team was not expected to come anywhere close to playoff contention with its current roster. Los Angeles has gone without a true number one receiver, instead piecing together a unit with names like Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer. As this roster continues to build throughout the Herbert-Harbaugh era, the Chargers could become serious contenders in the AFC.
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