Nobody questions the expertise Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has. He is proven by his 4 NFL seasons that he can sling the rock.
Whereas the No. 6 decide within the 2020 NFL Draft has thrown for over 4,300 yards in three of these 4 seasons with 114 complete touchdowns and 42 interceptions, Herbert is missing a trait the the league’s high QBs possess.
Playoff success is what actually issues for gamers within the NFL, and Herbert hasn’t had it regardless of his regular-season physique of labor. He’s had only one look within the playoffs, and it was a colossal meltdown towards the Jacksonville Jaguars two seasons in the past within the wild-card spherical.
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Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers drops again to cross within the third quarter towards the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium Oct. 29, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures)
Regardless of Herbert’s bodily attributes, the Chargers haven’t been in a position to make a run at a Lombardi Trophy, and a former security for the squad thinks he is aware of why.
“He’s (lacking) that clutch issue,” Chris Harris Jr. mentioned of Herbert. “It’s that fourth-quarter dominance you could see from a [Tom] Brady, that you simply see from [Patrick] Mahomes or Huge Ben [Roethlisberger]. After I performed towards these guys, if the sport was a landing or three factors, I used to be nervous.”
Harris was with Herbert and the Chargers his first two seasons within the league, and he watched the Oregon product go 15-17 as a starter, together with a Professional Bowl 2021 season, his greatest so far.
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Herbert threw for five,014 yards with 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and a 65.9 completion charge after successful Offensive Rookie of the 12 months the earlier season. However 9-8 wasn’t adequate for the Chargers. They missed the playoffs.
Whereas Herbert has solely performed one sport within the playoffs, he has had clutch moments early in his profession. He’s put collectively 11 fourth-quarter comebacks and has 14 game-winning drives below his belt.
So, that “clutch gene” is one thing Herbert has proven he can faucet into. Harris additionally believes new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has been a quarterback whisperer all through his teaching profession, can assist Herbert attain new heights.
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a cross through the second quarter towards the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (Harry How/Getty Pictures)
“I feel he does have it, nevertheless it’s going to take an skilled coach to convey that out of him,” Harris defined. “That’s why I feel Harbaugh goes to be an awesome match for him.”
In fact, soccer could be very a lot a workforce sport, which means the offense could be dominant however lose video games as a result of poor protection and vice versa. Chargers followers have watched their offense put up a lot of factors solely to lose ultimately, and the 27-point lead that evaporated for them in that playoff sport towards the Jaguars is simply the tip of the iceberg.
However the one factor that issues is how the Chargers start this new period below Harbaugh. Herbert will likely be doing so with out two of his high targets, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, in addition to his trusty operating again Austin Ekeler. Even tight finish Gerald Everett signed with the Washington Commanders (as did Ekeler), so it’s a new-look offense regardless of the identical signal-caller.
These roster losses and a brand new offense might add some stress for Herbert in his fifth season. However the nice ones battle by adversity and make it work. And Harris believes that may be the case with Harbaugh working alongside Herbert.
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers runs off the sphere earlier than a sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Dec. 4, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Chris Unger/Getty Pictures)
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“It was once all on Justin, and he in all probability felt the burden of that each week,” Harris admitted. “Having that safety up entrance. Having a run sport. Having a stable protection. … These are the little elements that I feel will assist him get to that subsequent stage.”
Whether or not that stage is playoff worthy stays to be seen.
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