I don’t think this is what it should look like.
There’s never been any doubt about Justin Herbert’s talent, or the impressive physical traits he brings to the table. He’s big and athletic, with an absolute cannon of a right arm.
But for all of that potential, Herbert’s reputation as a franchise quarterback continues to be more theoretical, with the reality falling far short of the expectations.
Herbert’s Chargers started their 2026 campaign with back-to-back home losses to two of last year’s worst teams (Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals), both of which came by two-score deficits and saw Los Angeles manage only 14 points in each contest. Herbert barely averaged 200 yards passing in those losses, with just two touchdown passes to three interceptions.
Sunday’s Week 3 road matchup against the Buffalo Bills featured a marquee showdown between Herbert and Josh Allen, but gave the Chargers offense an opportunity to feast on a defense that had given up 31 points in each of their first two games this season. Instead, it was more of the same, as the Chargers managed just 16 points, as Herbert and company squandered a spirited performance from their defense that featured five takeaways.
Herbert completed 20 of 34 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and that pick was an inexcusable throw that turned the momentum in the game. Early in the fourth quarter, the Chargers held a 13-10 lead and were on the doorstep of the red zone threatening to go up multiple scores. But, as legendary QB and Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady put it on the broadcast, Herbert threw “a meatball sub” over the middle of the field that was easily snatched by C.J. Gardner-Johnson and returned back near midfield:
Known for his ability to stretch the field with elite arm strength, Herbert has struggled mightily so far this season when he tries to push the ball downfield:
The hiring of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator was supposed to be a huge boost for Herbert’s ability to maximize his talents, but for all the offseason hype surrounding the tandem, the on-field results have fallen flat. This offense has scored just 44 total points in three weeks, failing to take advantage of winnable matchups, and wasting solid performances from their defense.
Have there been some unhelpful drops from his receivers? Indeed. But if Herbert wants to be considered among the best passers in the game, he needs to be the kind of quarterback who overcomes those things and elevates the rest of his supporting cast to his level, instead of being undone by those moments and his inability to handle his own business on a consistent basis. So far this season, Herbert’s accuracy and decision-making have been spotty at best, and for all his natural talent and physical prowess, it’s those finer points of playing the game’s most important position that separate the best ones from the rest.
Herbert is still chasing that consistency in those areas, and until he captures it, the rest of the team will be wandering in the wilderness without a true shot at making a Super Bowl run.
NFL history is stuffed full of talented quarterbacks who checked all the prototypical boxes on paper, but struggled to deliver on the hype between the lines. We’ve seen Herbert throw for 5,000 yards in a season, so we know he can be a productive passer under the right circumstances.
But the Chargers have to figure out how to recapture that version of their franchise passer, and identify the facets of their offense that are resulting in the lackluster version we’ve seen so far this season. If they can’t, all the offseason talk of challenging the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West title will end with the Chargers taking up residence in the basement of their division, and wondering if Herbert will ever be able to lead them to a championship.
