Justin Herbert and The Los Angeles Chargers have been through plenty of trials and tribulations throughout their connection since 2020. Some blame Herbert for the lack of success, and others blame the coaching regimes. Considering the Oregon quarterback has had the greatest rookie season of all time combined with three more seasons of high-level quarterback play, the failure of the team should lie in the regime more than in the hands of one singular player. Even with the success that Herbert has had on the field, this new Chargers regime spearheaded by Jim Harbaugh may have just found the key to fully unlock their superstar quarterback.
Chargers New Regime Just Found the Key to Unlock Justin Herbert
A Tantalizing Talent Hiding in Plain Sight
The Chargers super-star quarterback, Justin Herbert showed a lot of promise in his college days with running the football, giving the Oregon offense another layer of dynamism on the ground game. In the pre-draft process, Herbert furthered his unreal athletic ability with an extremely impressive RAS score of 9.7. However, even with his tantalizing traits of pure athleticism, he was still seen as a Quarterback who uses his legs as a last-ditch option and something nicer to have than something to be excited about.
Justin Herbert was drafted with pick 6 of round 1 in the 2020 draft class. He scored a 9.7 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 25 out of 800 QB from 1987 to 2020. https://t.co/19OSA6Ro0D #RAS pic.twitter.com/ghxEDAXdsX
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2022
Times have changed since his days out of Oregon, as recent reports have come out and spoken about Justin Herbert’s ability to contribute to the ground game. This is not exactly new news, but it is finally being brought to light. Herbert has shown flashes of his ability to gain yardage on the ground. In a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, Herbert had 90 rushing yards, a career-high. Furthermore, Herbert has run for 25+ yards in a game nine times in his young career. Doing so while the gameplan called for nearly anything but a scramble or designed quarterback runs. There is the ability to run the football, but it has been the story of coaching not allowing him to, and injuries piling up.
.@AlbertBreer says the Chargers offensive regime has been blown away by Justin Herbert’s ability as a runner.
“His ability to run and pull away from other great athletes has been eye opening, and tantalizing for a staff that knows how to threaten a defense with a mobile QB.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/cPMuMn5j3r— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) July 25, 2024
How Will Unlocking Justin Herbert’s Legs Help The Chargers Offense?
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman loves to run an offense that is extremely focused on the running game. He has had mobile quarterbacks throughout his time in the NFL, always using their legs as an important part of his offense. It’s clear that Herbert is much different than his previous Quarterbacks (Colin Kaepernick, Tyrod Taylor, and Lamar Jackson), thus plenty of the off-season questions brought in for Roman and the Chargers offense was if Herbert fit the same profile that he has always had. The answer lies somewhere in between. Herbert is not the same dynamic runner as Jackson is, but he is more than enough of a runner to add layers to this offense.
Justin Herbert with 93 yards rushing tonight 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/kd60RNgd0m
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) November 22, 2021
Note: Though in the caption it says 93 rushing yards, the box score was 90. This was due to kneel-downs.
Justin Herbert running more than ever could allow heavier boxes, which leads to easier passing lanes for him to pick apart. Defenses also have to play 11on11 football, leaving one of their linebackers as a spy for Herbert, or using other coverages that use one of their players to account for the new layer of offense given by Herbert’s running ability. Designed QB runs, RPOs, triple option, and QB read runs are all new plays that could be added to this Chargers playbook, as this new regime is now willing to use their extremely athletic quarterback, as what he fully is.
A fresh offense that unlocks the hidden talent that Justin Herbert has always had could be extremely exciting. However, ensuring his health is number one in the eyes of this staff. So if that balance is met and Harbaugh and Roman can fully maximize the athleticism that Herbert possesses, this Chargers offense can be a lot more scary than once touted to be.
Main Photo: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
