Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh will probably be evaluating all positions on the NFL Mix aside from one — quarterback.
The Chargers have already got their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, who’s coming off of essentially the most environment friendly season of his profession. Herbert threw simply three interceptions for a 0.6% interception fee in 2024 — the bottom fee within the NFL. Harbaugh is clearly excessive on his 26-year-old quarterback, calling him one of many “greatest” passers within the recreation and among the best quarterbacks ever.
”All of the positions are useful,” says Harbaugh in an unique interview with Sports activities Lens when requested what positions they’re seeking to improve at. “One I do know we don’t want is quarterback. That’s one I can just about inform you the place we wouldn’t be. You discuss being blessed, being lucky, we’ve got among the best quarterbacks within the NFL. Now we have among the best quarterbacks within the historical past of the sport.”
Whereas Herbert clearly has an extended solution to go earlier than he may be thought of among the best quarterbacks ever, Harbaugh is making a degree that his quarterback is among the most gifted ever and has the potential to finish his profession as among the best quarterbacks of all time.
The Chargers will choose No. 22 within the 2025 NFL Draft after making a shock look within the playoffs with an 11-6 report final season. Harbaugh is at present in Indianapolis on the NFL Mix learning prospects. The truth that Los Angeles already has their quarterback place locked down offers them flexibility coming into the draft, says Harbaugh.
”We’re going into one other draft figuring out that we obtained an important place locked down and that offers us freedom to have a look at when our decide comes up, who’s the best possible participant and that could possibly be over a number of positions,” says Harbaugh. “We all know it received’t be quarterback. It’s a blessing. Let’s take a look at all these different positions and go, let’s take the very best participant obtainable.”
Harbaugh: I Want To Coach As Nicely As Herbert Performs
Herbert did wrestle of their playoff loss to the Houston Texans, posting 4 interceptions in a 32-12 loss. A kind of was returned for a landing. With that being stated, Harbaugh hasn’t misplaced confidence in his franchise quarterback. In truth, he says he must carry his teaching to Herbert’s “degree” of play.
”I’m seeking to do something and all the pieces for me personally to carry it to his degree and I do know the remainder of the fellows they really feel the identical manner,” says Harbaugh of Herbert. “I heard Derwin James discuss that on the Professional Bowl to carry his recreation and no one does it higher than Derwin. However that’s form of the best way I really feel.”
The College of Oregon product made an affect from the onset throughout his rookie season, setting single-season data for a first-year quarterback with 31 touchdowns and 396 passing completions. He holds a number of data in main passing classes for the primary a number of seasons of his profession, together with most passing yards in his first two, three, 4 and 5 seasons.
Harbaugh has solely coached Herbert for one season, however he is aware of an amazing quarterback when he sees one. The 61-year-old Harbaugh was a former first-round quarterback himself who made it to the Professional Bowl throughout his taking part in profession. He’s additionally coached Professional Bowlers Andrew Luck and Alex Smith over time, together with first-round decide J.J. McCarthy.
He particulars that Herbert is a “perfectionist” and that’s what helps make him such an amazing quarterback.
“There’s a ton of things there, it’s expertise — no one has extra,” says Harbaugh. “It’s effort, no one offers extra effort than Justin and that’s actually how a participant is understood. By your expertise and energy, you may be recognized. The opposite half, I believe that’s actually particular is that he’s a perfectionist and he needs to be nice.”
Harbaugh says Herbert doesn’t do it for “self-promotion” or consideration, he does it for the group. It’s the explanation why the Chargers gravitate in direction of him.
”It’s not for the self promotion of Justin Herbert,” says Harbaugh. “It’s for his group and so far as the group. his brothers within the locker room. That’s true, that’s actual. I believe that’s what makes him nice. That’s what makes the remainder of us gravitate to him a lot as a result of we all know he’s all about us.
“We all know he’s all concerning the group,” Harbaugh continues to say. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t sit at my desk or simply the thought in my head that he’s on our group.”
The Chargers will clearly want to point out that they will take the following step with Herbert at quarterback. For all of his gaudy passing numbers, Herbert nonetheless has but to win a playoff recreation. Moreover, his two playoff video games have been duds, with the earlier one occurring after the Chargers blew a 27-point lead — the third-largest in postseason historical past — towards the Jacksonville Jaguars. They turned the primary group to lose a playoff recreation with a turnover differential of at the least +5.
The franchise additionally hasn’t received a playoff recreation since 2018. Harbaugh positively believes in his quarterback and is making an attempt to maintain Herbert’s confidence excessive coming into the 2025 season. We’ll see if subsequent season is the 12 months Los Angeles takes a step in direction of the elite echelon in a tricky division that includes two playoff groups within the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Denver Broncos and the Pete Carroll-led Las Vegas Raiders.