Los Angeles Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert is, in a couple of phrases, a soccer robotic. If you wish to educate elite processing and timing on the place, you watch No. 10 for LA. He’s lengthy been one of many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks, however he at all times felt like he performed a bit extra … buttoned up. Herbert is usually going to get by his total development, selecting to securely verify it down slightly than attempt to prolong for extra explosive performs.
That’s modified beneath new head coach Jim Harbaugh, although. Herbert has been unlocked in his fashion of play, and it’s helped him flip in an MVP-caliber season. Herbert’s scramble numbers are decrease than they have been final yr, however they really feel far more essential this yr, as a result of dearth of expertise round him. This season, Herbert as a runner has been the best and profitable high-volume runner on the Chargers, posting a 38.7 Constructive Play Price this yr and a 30.6% First Down Price as a runner. The Chargers want his elevated degree of play, and it was on show in a pivotal win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday evening. Herbert was his ordinary superb self within the pocket, however it was the out of construction work that he did that’s maintaining the Chargers’ offense afloat.
If there’s something the entire prime QBs have discovered of their respective careers, it’s the artwork of the well timed scramble. Patrick Mahomes is perhaps one of the best on the planet at it, scrambling for 15 yards on third and 10 or 8 on third and seven. It’s the backbreaking scrambles when the protection has everybody lined, however the drive continues as a result of the QB makes a play on his personal. It’s one thing Herbert didn’t actually use lots in his profession main as much as this yr, however in 2024 he’s unlocked this completely different degree of play that’s maintaining him amongst the ranks of the elite.
This scramble drill comes on second down, however you possibly can see how Herbert’s willingness to exit and get the primary down and extra along with his legs helps open up that offense far more than earlier years. Have a look at the juke he places on to separate two Bronco defenders and get much more out of this play. I say on a regular basis that Herbert runs just like the Iron Big, however this robotic is studying the best way to kick ass extra like Baymax.
The place he’s additionally developed is working extra out of construction, the place the Chargers desperately want his magic. The Chargers’ offense is constructed to be explosive on the bottom and environment friendly within the air; with guys like Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer, who’re extra used for the in between sport in addition to the a number of tight ends within the offense, they need to have the ability to hit you with jabs within the passing sport and haymakers operating the ball. The issue, nevertheless, is that the Chargers aren’t explosive on the bottom. With out RB JK Dobbins, the Chargers have eight carries of 10 or extra yards, which simply isn’t going to chop it.
Why does this matter for Herbert? Effectively, if the Chargers aren’t explosive on the bottom, he has to maintain the offense alive with out many guys who can separate…or catch the ball. The Chargers’ 8.6% Drop Price this yr can be the ninth highest within the NFL since 2020, in response to Sports activities Data Options. Herbert isn’t given a lot in these large moments, however his means to increase and purchase time for his guys is why the offense is working. The landing he threw to WR Derius Davis on Thursday was stuff that each one the elite QBs do. He’s fading away to his left and DL Zach Allen is closing in on him, which implies for many guys this ends in a sack.
However not this model of Justin Herbert. Just a bit calm flick of the wrist to Davis within the endzone and the Chargers are on the board with a landing. That is bonkers, bonkers stuff from Herbert, who has taken his inventive suite to the following degree this season.
On the ultimate landing of the sport, Herbert creates for RB Hassan Haskins, who is ready to take this to the home. He steps up with the stress coming across the edge, however nothing is open downfield, with McConkey operating an over route and Quentin Johnston operating a go. Herbert opens his inventive suite, and casually flips this ball to Haskins, who does the remainder. This kind of creation, whereas small, is what’s maintaining this offense alive, and it’s executed by way of Herbert altering how he performs.
Jim Harbaugh has modified lots in regards to the Chargers, however the place he’s had the largest hand is with unleashing Herbert as a QB. Herbert is doing extra from a creation standpoint than he has in his profession, and it seems prefer it’ll be sufficient to get the Chargers to the playoffs in yr one of many Harbaugh period. Herbert’s numbers won’t be gaudy (18 passing touchdowns this season), however when it comes to how really helpful he’s to a Chargers staff that doesn’t have a lot on the talent place, he deserves to get MVP votes.
The robotic QB has been unleashed.
