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Just as the Los Angeles Chargers learned they lost a wide receiver to retirement, a rookie at the same position ended his holdout. The latter provided good news for the Chargers player who is under the most pressure entering the 2025 season.
Entering his sixth NFL season, quarterback Justin Herbert has a lot to prove and plenty of pressure. This is the year the Chargers are supposed to become a major threat to the Chiefs in the AFC West. And if they do that, that likely means they’re also a serious Super Bowl contender.
However, Herbert must excel to get the Chargers where they want to go.
Herbert turned in a fabulous 2024 season with 23 touchdown tosses and only three interceptions. He thrived in Jim Harbaugh’s system with 3,870 yards and a 65.9 completion percentage.
But most importantly, Herbert posted his best record as a starting quarterback. He entered the year with a mark of 30-32, but guided Los Angeles to an 11-6 finish.
Herbert said Harbaugh deserves credit for helping him improve, according to chargers.com.r
“To have a guy like that leading the team, you know, it shows up,” Herbert said. “You turn on the tape, and everyone wants to play for him, wants to fight for him. And I think guys are playing energetic. They’re excited to be out there, and they’re having fun.”
Also, Herbert said the offense is in tune, and that would help any quarterback, according to chargers.com.
“I think it’s just continuing to improve on where we need to and taking what we did well last year and continuing to work on that,” Herbert said. “Understanding where we fell short, what we need to improve on and taking on that entire body of work from last year and just continuing to improve.
“I think we’ve got a lot of great film of stuff that we’ve done — route concepts, protections — so guys are comfortable with it. It’s just continuing to get better at that and moving forward.”
“I think we’ve made great strides this offseason. I would say that we’ve gotten a lot better,” Herbert said. “We’re continuing to put in this offense and master and do everything we can to fully understand it.
“I think from that standpoint, we’re further ahead than where we were last year. There’s a lot of work to do. And I think guys have done a great job this offseason of showing up mentally prepared and being focused day in and day out.”
Another thing that should help Herbert handled to pressure of leading his team to wins is an improved offensive line. The Chargers added 6-foot-7, 363-pound beast Mekhi Becton to start at the right guard position.
“He’s as impressive as I remember,” Herbert said. “I’ve played against him a couple of times now and we know how talented and how gifted he is. He’s a great human...
