Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the best in the game, and the folks over at PFF have recognized his greatness. In Sam Monson’s recent quarterback rankings, the Chargers franchise passer came in as the fourth-best quarterback in the league, behind only Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow.
Every Justin Herbert deep ball in 2022! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/j2h6ivgO8F
— NFL (@NFL) June 12, 2023
PFF: Justin Herbert Is A Top-Five Quarterback
The Article
Even though the Chargers made the playoffs, 2022 was something of a season to forget for Justin Herbert. The quarterback battled through injuries and an atrocious offensive scheme, yet Monson is aware that the statistical shortcomings have a lot more to do with Herbert’s surroundings than the quarterback himself.
”We have seen glimpses of what he’s capable of, but he passed for just 6.8 yards per attempt last season and finished eighth in PFF passing grade,” Monson writes. “Kellen Moore’s arrival as the Chargers offensive coordinator could be the key that fully unlocks Herbert, and if he is, this is where Herbert belongs.”
There are no excuses for Herbert heading into the 2023 campaign. Joe Lombardi actively ruined every offense he’s been a part of prior to joining the Chargers, but Kellen Moore was responsible for bringing out the best of Dak Prescott in Dallas. If Herbert has a similar season in 2023, then it’s time to hit the panic button. However, assuming he and his receiving corps stay healthy, the quarterback should return to his 2020 and 2021 form while leading the Chargers to a deep playoff run.
Monson clearly expects Justin Herbert to play up to his potential, but does he deserve a higher spot on the PFF quarterback rankings?
Where Does Justin Herbert Belong on the PFF Quarterback Rankings?
Just about everyone will agree that Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert are the four best quarterbacks in the league, so PFF nailed that part of the rankings. Patrick Mahomes is a tier above the rest, while Allen, Burrow, and Herbert could be sorted in any order you’d like.
Prior to his elbow injury, Josh Allen was actually outplaying Patrick Mahomes, so he deserves the second spot on this list. The third spot, however, is up for grabs. The PFF quarterback rankings believe that Burrow is the choice here, but there is a strong case to be made that Justin Herbert deserves the honors.
Again, this is nitpicking, as both quarterbacks are great at their respective jobs. However, Burrow’s job is substantially easier than Herbert’s. The former first-overall pick has elite accuracy to all parts of the field, but he lacks Herbert’s rocket arm. While he’s still able to push the ball down the field, a decent part of his downfield success comes from having Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
These two form arguably the best receiving duo in the league, and Tyler Boyd is one of the best WR3’s out there. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are a solid duo, but they’re not nearly as talented as Cincinnati’s receivers, and at least one of them seems to always be battling injury. If placed in Burrow’s environment, Herbert would be a perennial MVP candidate.
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