Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hasn’t seemed at ease during the first three weeks of this NFL season.
Former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson offered some insights on why Herbert is having a tough time adjusting to the new strategy under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
“Watching Justin Herbert has been quite interesting. He doesn’t appear comfortable yet,” Wilson remarked. “First off, sitting at 0-3 is a problem. That’s definitely concerning.
“Secondly, their star player, Justin Herbert, doesn’t seem completely confident in the system yet. He’s still figuring it out. Think about what Mike [McDaniel] did in Miami—he had Tua, executing quick play actions and getting the ball out fast, often before he even looked up. Plus, he had speedy receivers like Tyreek Hill and constant motion in the offense.
“That’s not exactly Justin Herbert’s style. I think it’s going to take a bit longer for him to adapt. But the question is, do they have enough time for him to make that transition?”
McDaniel’s offensive system is notably complex, requiring quick adjustments from the quarterback related to timing, footwork, and decision-making. Herbert is not accustomed to a system that demands so much even before the play begins.
The outcome so far? Herbert has been playing like a subpar quarterback. He’s averaging 209 yards per game and completing only 59.1% of his throws. He has three touchdowns but has also thrown four interceptions.
Due to Herbert’s struggles to acclimate to this offense, his teammates have also struggled to perform well. Starting the season at 0-3 leaves the Chargers with little room for error, and the upcoming schedule is only going to get tougher.
Herbert will need to turn things around soon, or the reality is that the Chargers’ season could be over before it really begins.
