Once the Philip Rivers era came to an end, the Los Angeles Chargers did not have to wait long to find their new quarterback. When the team selected quarterback Justin Herbert sixth overall in the 2020 NFL draft, he was the right fit for the position.
Herbert is a talented quarterback, but he has been a tale of two players. As of the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season, he is 52-23 in the regular season. He has completed 66.5% of his passes, 163 touchdowns, and 58 interceptions.
The postseason is a different story. He is 0-3 in playoff play and has completed 54.7% of his passes for two touchdowns and four interceptions. This signals that something is either going on with Herbert or the organization, and the latter may be the reason.
How could it be that the Chargers are failing Justin Hebert?
The Los Angeles Chargers Are Hurting Justin Herbert
Inconsistencies in the Los Angeles Chargers’ Pass Protection
One thing that the media and many fans have pointed out is the lack of pass protection Herbert gets. Over the course of the season last year, Herbert became one of the most sacked quarterbacks (54 times) in 2025.
A key factor of this has been the numerous injuries sustained on the offensive line. It has made it hard for the quarterback to progress through his reads and options. Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt had season-ending injuries in 2025.
Ultimately, this led to Herbert becoming a league-leading warranted man. He was hit 129 times in 2025. This forced him to play through numerous injuries of his own, including a fractured hand and ankle sprain.
Instability with Coaching and Schemes
Like his fellow quarterback Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert has played through many offensive coordinators and head coaches. Brandon Staley proved to be inconsistent, and head coach Jim Harbaugh uses the run more frequently.
Regardless of how many coaches he has had, it ultimately messes up the scheme and identity that a consistent coach sustains. Ex-offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s scheme led the Chargers to the postseason in both 2023 and 2024. But the strategy failed to show the talent of Herbert’s arm.
Roman relied more on short-timing throws, which allowed the rushing game to be the star of the show. This often hid the vulnerability that the offensive line had.
Questionable Roster Moves
The Los Angeles Chargers had several head-scratching roster changes. Over the past few seasons, many players have come and gone. The loss of players like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams took away huge weapons for Justin Herbert.
Even though Allen came back to play with the team and played consistently, he is getting older and is not the same player he was before. Instead, the Chargers are using youngsters like Ladd McConkey and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, both who are not reliable weapons for him.
Herbert’s Own Mistakes
The defense has also proved to let Herbert down at some points. They have failed to finish games and have been known to have epic collapses. It forces Justin Herbert to play ‘hero-ball’. This was evident in their game against the Houston Texans when he threw four interceptions.
The Chargers have also been the reason for Herbert’s own wrongdoings. He has not won a postseason game and has failed to lead the Chargers on touchdown drives that ultimately matter. While he has a sensational touchdown-to-interception ratio, he has his moments under pressure.
Reflection
Although Justin Herbert has proved to be a franchise quarterback, he still needs help. The organization has to give him weapons and improve their offensive design that allows Herbert to grow. If efficiently done, they will become a top-rising team in the AFC.
Main Photo: [David Butler II] – Imagn Images
