Over the last few years, the Los Angeles Chargers have had one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, but they have virtually nothing to show for it.
But now, a new day has begun for them as Jim Harbaugh, one of the more successful active football coaches, is now at the helm.
Harbaugh and his offensive coordinator Greg Roman will no doubt emphasize running the football and playing a smash-mouth style of offense, but Harbaugh had a lot of glowing things to say about Herbert.
He said Herbert is “incredible” in many areas and that “there’s not a gene in his body I wouldn’t trade with,” per Sports CentralLA.
“He’s gonna get mad at me… (but) there’s not a gene in his body I wouldn’t trade with”
Jim Harbaugh talks Justin Herbert w/ Jahleel Addae & even puts the “crown on” Jim Hill 😳@Do_OrAddae37 @diehardboltclub #Chargers #BoltUp @BB_Chargers @BFTB_Chargers pic.twitter.com/MZUgMosPil
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) June 10, 2024
Herbert has his critics who feel he doesn’t have what it takes to do well under pressure, but his talent is undeniable.
He’s one of the most physically imposing signal-callers in football, and his arm strength is almost second to none.
Herbert’s numbers fell across the board last season, and he has lost his top two wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason.
But he will have some new help in the form of offensive tackle Joe Alt, whom the Chargers drafted at No. 5 in April.
Alt will be bookended by Rashawn Slater, a promising young left tackle, and the two men should give Herbert plenty of protection and time to consistently get into a rhythm.
Los Angeles likely won’t make the playoffs this coming season, but this should be the start of a building process that could result in them becoming legitimate Super Bowl contenders within a few years.
