After only two years in the NFL, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has made an incredible impression on the field for Los Angeles, breaking a few league records along the way. His impact on the team hasn’t stopped there, though, as the Chargers have asked for Herbert’s opinions on roster decisions, as well, according to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports. 
There is plenty about the 24-year-old quarterback to be impressed about. Despite the lack of team success, Herbert has accumulated “the most completions (839) and passing yards (9,350) through the first two seasons of a career” in NFL history. He also became the first quarterback in league history to throw for 30 touchdowns or more in each of his first two seasons. The feat of throwing for over 5,000 yards in a season this past year is another anomaly, as only Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino had accomplished that in one of their first two years of NFL football.
In an interview with the young phenom, Kerr inquired about the impacts of Herbert’s career so far beyond the gridiron. He asked the Oregon product if Los Angeles asks for his input on roster construction, if they invite his opinions on what he needs in order to improve the roster.
“The great part about the Chargers is they have asked!” Herbert replied. “They definitely want to keep communication open there, but my response to them is ‘I just want to play quarterback and I trust you guys and whatever you decide to do.'”
The answer to the question says a ton about the respect the Chargers have for their young passer and his response to their request shows trust and maturity. There are plenty of things for Herbert to be working on this offseason, but scouting probably shouldn’t be on the list. Trusting general manager Tom Telesco and company to build a team around him is probably the best move for Herbert at the current moment. But how has that trust been serving him so far?
The biggest possible move the Chargers could make to help Herbert succeed is exactly what they did. Los Angeles took Herbert’s leading receiver from last year, Mike Williams, and secured his return with a three-year, $60MM contract. The Williams signing, along with exclusive rights free agent Jalen Guyton signing a one-year deal, ensures that all four of Herbert’s top wide receivers from last year will return in 2022.
After the departures of Jared Cook and Stephen Anderson in free agency, the Chargers only return 235 receiving yards from the tight end position between Donald Parham, who signed his ERFA tender in March, and Tre’ McKitty. Los Angeles countered the losses by signing former Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year, $12MM contract. While his numbers have never been eye-popping, Everett has shown reliably, putting up at least 400 receiving yards each of the last three years and catching four touchdowns last season.
Los Angeles utilized the draft, as well, to bring in a strong back up running back in Isaiah Spiller to relieve Austin Ekeler on occasion. They also attempted to fill in some weak spots on the offensive line by drafting guards Zion Johnson in the first round and Jamaree Salyer in the sixth.
Not only have the Chargers been making moves to build their offense around Herbert, but they made major moves on the defensive-side of the ball in an attempt to build a complete team for Herbert to lead to the playoffs. To combat the losses of Uchenna Nwosu, Kyzir White, Justin Jones, and Kyler Fackrell, Los Angeles broke out the checkbook to bring in the likes of J.C. Jackson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Kyle Van Noy, Bryce Callahan, and Troy Reeder. They even sacrificed some draft capital in a trade with Chicago that brought former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack back to California.
So, yes, the Chargers have been going to great lengths to prop Herbert up and help him and the franchise succeed, going as far as to ask Herbert exactly what he needs from them. Herbert trusts them and they’ve rewarded his trust thus far.
A lot of hype over a guy who has accomplished very little.
lmao
He’s accomplished two very good seasons in his first two years in the league, while blessed with rare physical traits. Sorry you’re not excited, I guess.
I never got the whole “hasn’t done anything in the NFL” argument. Every time I hear it, I just hear “I personally do not like the guy”.
Thank you….This guy has done nothing and is anointed the second coming. How about make the playoffs first
“How about make the playoffs first” is a very mediocre argument regarding a game that involves 52 other men being on your team.
If playoff success matters more than individual stats when evaluating an individual than I guess Brian Hoyer is a top 5 QB in the league.
Guessing you didnt watch that last Raiders Chargers game to get a playoff spot. Herbert put the Chargers on his back and pretty much had his way with the Raiders D. Not Justin’s fault the Chargers run def was garbage.
Took Herbert 17 games to get 5k yards so the comparison to Marino and Mahomes is a little misleading…..
I would agree. I am extremely impressed by Herbert, and I was wrong about his not taking snaps under center in college affecting him coming out of the draft. That said, the league’s rules favoring offense has incredibly watered down the aura surrounding the records there, and the addition of a 17th game figures to water them down even more.
This isn’t to say that Herbert does not deserve the recognition that he’s getting-I believe that he does, actually. I am just saying that we need to recognize these records in the context of the times that they were accomplished as well.
I thought this article was going to discuss him doing landscaping and trash pickup. The headline was misleading.
I think the guys on the practice squad get first crack at those jobs.
He’s a big boy now
Looks like the Chargers and Herbert are still in the honeymoon phase but the NFL ultimately is a “what have you done for us lately?” league.
‘“The great part about the Chargers is they have asked!” Herbert replied. “They definitely want to keep communication open there, but my response to them is ‘I just want to play quarterback and I trust you guys and whatever you decide to do.’”
I find it stunning that both the Packers and Seahawks refused to listen to their HoF QB’s causing major rifts. And yet Burrow was able to persuade Cinny to draft Chase and the Chargers are seeking input from their 2nd year QB.
Heck Tom was frustrated at both Bill & Bruce for not having input. I read last year Tom & the OC worked on game plans only to have Bruce change it.
Having input and doing whatever the QB wants are also two different things.
100% agree. The HC, GM, & QB all have different roles. But when a HoF QB says to the effect “I need better protection up front.’ or ‘Can we improve the TE group?’. That has to be taken into account, not ignored.
Generally a competent GM knows what positional areas need upgrading. The problem is QBs are insisting their needs take priority over all others. There is a point where too much input actually hinders decision making processes (as I’m sure your aware from your military experiences) and front office staffs are already bloated enough without seeking outside advice.
As I said above, everyone has their role. But if Russ, Tom, or Aaron said ‘Shore up the D line. we can’t afford to give up 5 yards per carry.’, or ‘I need better protection.’… Whatever. I’d Listen them.
The coaches listen to them during a game, and make adjustments; why not in the offseason as well?
Outside of sports, business owners listen to their executives everyday. A franchise QB is an executive position.To ignore them, shows why the players were frustrated.
Bill B is going to look like a fool for the 3rd year in a row by simply ignoring Tom. Bill’s record in Cleveland, w/o a HoF QB was so bad, he got canned. Bill cost himself a legit shot as the all time winningest coach because he thought he knew more than Tom and ignored his input.
So far the guy looks like Rivers, i.e., a stat-bot who cannot win the big game.
Like someone mentioned earlier, his game against the Raiders where he completed all those fourth and longs one after another was nothing short of amazing. One of the best performances ever. He is a great player and person. I’ve learned that there are haters on this site that aren’t happy unless they have something negative to write. I feel sorry for them.
Mahommes has all his records in a16 game season as opposed to a 14 game season but nobody seems to put an asterisk next to his records like they do with Herbert. Haters are gonna hate. Being a Charger fan, I am glad Justin is our qb, and will probably end up with all our records.
What big game has he played in ?