Why Justin Herbert’s leadership has taken a leap in 2024

Months before Morgan Fox signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in May 2022, he says he had a crush on quarterback Justin Herbert. Fox watched on television as Herbert converted on fourth and third down in a Week 18 game the Chargers played against the Raiders at the end of the 2021 season, with a playoff spot on the line.

Still, when he became Herbert’s teammate, Fox hoped to test Herbert’s mettle. After a play during practice, Fox knocked a football out of Herbert’s hands. “I just wanted to see how he was going to react,” Fox said with a smile.

Herbert picked up the ball, threw it to Fox and began hurling expletives at the defensive tackle. “That’s what I wanted to see,” Fox said with a smile. “He’s always had that tone. You just have to talk to him.”

Herbert’s personality has long been the focus of critics who have questioned whether the 2020 first-round pick has the personality to lead an NFL locker room. In his fifth season in the league, players say Herbert has evolved as a leader, a credit to time in the NFL and a coach in Jim Harbaugh who has pushed Herbert to be more vocal.

With the Chargers off to 7-3, their best start since the 2018 season, ahead of a “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Baltimore Ravens (8:15 p.m. ET), Herbert could be leading a legitimate contender for the first time. once in his career. . At 26 years old, he is playing perhaps the best football of his career with a distinct confidence and fearlessness that has the organization behind him.

“I feel like everyone is having more fun this year. We have a good culture and Justin is definitely the leader of that,” offensive tackle Rashawn Slater told ESPN. “Every time we see him have that energy, it’s very contagious. Since I’ve known Justin, he’s been the ultimate competitor, but I love that he’s been a little more animated.”

HERBERT PASSED FOUR years at the University of Oregon, where he emerged as one of the best players in the country during his final two seasons, throwing for 3,471 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions and posting a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin in his senior year.

Herbert’s play elevated him to the top of draft boards along with quarterbacks Joe Burrow of LSU and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama.

There were few concerns about Herbert’s play; Many evaluators only noted that he needed to make quicker decisions against defenses in the future. The main issue was Herbert’s personality. His shy, reserved approach was a red flag for a position where leadership is valued as much as performance.

“Most of the league was aligned for him,” former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock told ESPN. “He grew up blocks from campus, so there was some concern about being the face of a franchise, since he had no other view of the world.”

When Herbert was asked if he would be ready to play immediately in the NFL, he told reporters, “I feel confident in my abilities, but I’ve never played in the NFL before, so to give you an answer, if I could play.” “Right now, I don’t think that’s the best thing for me.”

Then-ESPN analyst Emmanuel Acho cited that quote as the reason why Herbert could be one of the “biggest mistakes of the draft.”

In the end, Herbert’s criticism didn’t seem to affect his draft status much, if at all, as the Chargers selected him with the sixth pick. He was the third quarterback taken and assumed the starting role in Week 2 after Chargers team doctors accidentally punctured quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s lung before the game.

In that game, Herbert threw for 311 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The highlight of the day for offensive tackle Trey Pipkins III came in the second quarter, when Herbert charged Chiefs linebacker Damien Wilson in a scramble. Pipkins called Herbert a “psychopath” for the way he recovered and ran toward the meeting without showing emotion.

“From the get-go, you could tell he had that leadership quality that you look for in a quarterback,” Pipkins said. “I think it’s just the more confident he is and the more he believes that we all have his back and expect him to have that leadership role… the more he continues to grow in that sense.”

IN THE THIRD In the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ Week 10 game against the Tennessee Titans, Herbert broke up a sack attempt by Titans outside linebacker Ali Gaye before running on the Chargers’ first down. As Herbert crossed the first down marker, he encountered linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., who delivered what appeared to be a significant hit to Herbert.

As Murray tackled Herbert, center Bradley Bozeman, running back Gus Edwards and fullback Scott Matlock ran over in apparent concern. At the end of the carnage stood Herbert with his right arm pointed in celebration to indicate a successful first attempt.

“I was like, ‘Oh shit, Justin got hit. But then I saw him on the ground, and he was just pointing out the first down, and I was like, damn, I love that.’ Slater said with a smile. “He’s the ultimate competitor. He doesn’t feel pain.”

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Herbert’s first down celebration has become a standard during the Chargers’ four-game winning streak, as have some others. After a touchdown pass to wide receiver Ladd McConkey in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, for example, Herbert nodded his head almost cartoonishly before punching Pipkins in the chest.

Slater describes Herbert’s personality on the field as “cheerful confidence.” Most players are intense and serious before games, but Herbert is usually calm and even playful.

“He’ll just be joking around, he’ll have a joking conversation on the sideline and then hopefully we’ll do the crazy stuff you see and then he’ll talk about his s—,” Slater said. “That’s a guy who could just flip a switch.”

Herbert is aware of the alter ego, telling reporters earlier this season after cameras caught him giving an impassioned, expletive-laden speech before Week 1: “Justin football is different.”

The passionate, mocking, celebratory Herbert that has prevailed on the field this season is what Harbaugh is trying to bring out of Herbert elsewhere. Since Harbaugh arrived, he has showered Herbert with praise that toes the line between admiration and obsession, and gently nudged him to be the vocal leader of this team.

It began in the offseason when Harbaugh had a gold practice jersey created for Herbert, so defenders would stay “two and a half or three yards” away from Herbert to avoid injury, as opposed to the standard two yards for backups. . After Harbaugh’s speech following the Titans’ victory, he pointed to Herbert with open arms: “Justin, just talk to us.”

“I have a lot to say and very little time to say it,” Herbert said with a smile, “good job everyone.”

The moment was another example of how Herbert has grudgingly accepted Harbaugh’s affection and leadership nudges.

“It’s really not my style to want that,” Herbert said. “But the more you go through it, it bothers you less and less and I think it’s great to have a coach who supports you like that. I try to say as many good things about him as possible, but I think I’m outnumbered.”

EVEN WITH HIM The signing of Harbaugh, the offseason departures of wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett made it look like these Chargers, who won five games last season, would struggle again this year .

Instead, the Chargers have been one of the biggest surprises in this NFL, with an effective offense essentially because Herbert is willing to make it so. Things weren’t always like this. The Chargers went 2-2 through four weeks, with Herbert suffering a sprained ankle while heading into the Week 5 break with career lows in completions, pass attempts and yards. Herbert’s frustrations had even boiled over on the sideline in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he slammed his helmet against a bench several times.

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But since returning from the break, Herbert has been one of the best players in the NFL.

Over his last six games, he is averaging 268 passing yards per game, fourth most in the NFL. In his first four games of the season, Herbert averaged 144.5 passing yards per game.

Herbert’s improving health has allowed the Chargers to play him under center more often and utilize more snaps. He has used play-action on 37% of his dropbacks in the last six games, compared to 25% in the first four games of the season. Using play-action in the previous six games, Herbert has 703 yards and three touchdowns. The 703 yards using play-action are the most in the NFL since Week 6.

“Enjoy it,” Harbaugh said. “Not only is he one of the best in the game today, he’s one of the best of all time. I don’t feel at all like I’m taking a risk by saying that.”

As the Chargers navigate the remaining eight games of this season, their championship aspirations will likely depend primarily on the ability of Herbert, who in year five appears to be a more confident player and willing leader, giving the Chargers the confidence they had not had. in some time.

“I love watching his growth. He’s always talked a little trash and celebrated a little, but I think this year he’s gaining ground,” Fox said. “He’s aggressive. He wants to win. He’s going to go after people. He’s a hunter. of heads. And I love him for that and I love watching him.”