No one questions the talent of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, and he has shown he can throw the ball throughout his four seasons in the NFL.
Herbert, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has thrown for more than 4,300 yards in three of his four seasons and totaled 114 touchdowns and 42 interceptions, but he lacks the traits of the league’s top quarterbacks.
What really matters for an NFL player is playoff success, but Herbert has yet to achieve that despite his regular-season success. He has only made one playoff appearance, and that was a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round two seasons ago.
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Los Angeles Chargers player Justin Herbert steps back to throw a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Despite Herbert’s physical abilities, the Chargers have never been successful in winning the Lombardi Trophy, and the team’s former safety thinks he knows why.
“He’s missing that decisive factor,” Chris Harris Jr. said of Herbert. “The fourth-quarter advantage. [Tom] Brady, you see. [Patrick] Mahomes or Big Ben [Roethlisberger]When we played against them, it was nerve wracking when the game came down to a touchdown or three points.”
Harris spent his first two seasons in the league with Herbert and the Chargers, where the Oregon native had his best performance to date, going 15-17 as a starter and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
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Herbert, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award the previous season, threw for 5,014 yards with 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 65.9 percent of his passes, but a 9-8 record wasn’t enough for the Chargers, who missed the playoffs.
Though Herbert has only played one playoff game, he was a force to be reckoned with early in his career, leading 11 fourth-quarter comebacks and completing 14 game-winning drives.
So Herbert has shown he can harness the “competitive genes.” Harris also believes new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has preached the quarterback mindset throughout his coaching career, can take Herbert to new heights.
Los Angeles Chargers player Justin Herbert throws a pass during the second quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
“I think he has the talent, but he needs an experienced coach to bring it out,” Harris explained. “That’s why I think Coach Harbaugh is a great fit for him.”
Of course, football is a team sport, and a dominant offense can lose because of a poor defense, or vice versa. Chargers fans have seen their offense score big numbers and still lose, but blowing a 27-point lead in the playoffs against the Jaguars is just the tip of the iceberg.
But all that matters is how the Chargers begin this new era under Coach Harbaugh. Coach Harbaugh will be without his two top targets in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as reliable running back Austin Ekeler. Tight end Gerald Everett also signed with the Washington Commanders (as did Ekeler). The head coach is the same, but the offense looks new.
Those departures and a new offensive line could add pressure to Herbert’s fifth season, but great players thrive through adversity, and Harris believes Harbaugh paired with Herbert can do just that.
Los Angeles Chargers player Justin Herbert runs off the field before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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“It was all Justin’s responsibility at one time and he’s going to feel that burden every week,” Harris acknowledged. “Playing defense up front. Playing the run attack. Playing solid defense. … I think those little things are going to help him get to the next level.”
Whether that level is playoff worthy remains to be seen.
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