Bolts From The Blue
We’re all going to continue hearing about Justin Herbert’s potential in 2026 with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel at the helm. Chargers fans can now expect quicker-developing route concepts and schemed-in “layups” for their star quarterback who just went through an entire season having to play the position on the highest difficult setting.
Former OC Greg Roman never gave Herbert a hand with anything. No matter how bad the protection was in front of him, Roman never seemed to have a shortlist of plays or concepts that could help either the offensive line or his QB. That era of Chargers football has finally come to an end and it should come as no surprise that everyone is stoked to see what this new duo can do together.
So with that said, Herbert was recently named to a list that features players with 2026 stock that you should absolutely be buying. Other players on the list include Bucs wideout Emeka Egbuka (no more Mike Evans), Eagles DeVonta Smith (no more A.J. brown), and Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs (he needs to be their savior).
Here’s what NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack had to say about Herbert and why he thinks the quarterback’s stock are only going up form here:
“Mike McDaniel is the perfect offensive coordinator to unlock Herbert’s full potential. The same way McDaniel helped Tua Tagovailoa overcome his early-career struggles to become a Pro Bowler in Miami, he could easily propel Herbert, already all-star caliber, into elite territory. It also doesn’t hurt that the Chargers signed a proven center (Tyler Biadasz), spent a second-round pick on offensive lineman (Jake Slaughter) and are getting bookends Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injury.”
Even if the Chargers did not make a single change on the offensive line this offseason, the comeback of both Slater and Alt would have made a world of difference. But the Chargers DID make changes, upgrading at center while currently in the midst of finding who their duo of starting guards will be. Alt and Slater are a top-three tackle duo when healthy and both of them already fit the wide zone scheme McDaniel is implementing. There’s so many pieces to this puzzle that have come together apart from simply adding new faces who were not on the team a year ago and all of this is to say, yes, Herbert’s stock has never been higher.
I would be thoroughly shocked if Herbert were to fall short of both 4,000 yards passing and/or 30 touchdown passes this upcoming season. Those things seem like the bare minimum that should be expected in 2026.
But am I off base here? Are those numbers still unrealistic even with McDaniel calling the offense? What are all of your expectations or Herbert this year? Let us know all your thoughts below!
