Press Enter to send · Shift+Enter for a new line
Justin Herbert
QB · LAC

Justin Herbert

Position QB
Team LAC
Bye Week 7
PPR Rank #67

Justin Herbert

NFL player. Position: QB. Team: LAC.

Quick Facts

  • Position: QB
  • Team: LAC (Los Angeles Chargers)
  • Bye week (2026): 7
  • FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 67

2026 Outlook

Herbert gets a potential lifeline with the addition of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel's track record as a play-caller should help Herbert, the most talented QB he's worked with, finally get the run game functional and set up easy passing opportunities. Concerns remain about the Chargers' interior O-line depth (per NFL 2026 Offseason Power Rankings: The Rams Jump the Seahawks). Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes Herbert could make a run at MVP in 2026 under McDaniel, predicting the Chargers offense will average 25 PPG (up from 20.6 last year)—positioning Herbert well for statistical breakout (per Senior NFL Writer Makes Bold Claim About Chargers' Mike McDaniel).

McDaniel's outside-zone running scheme and emphasis on spacing concepts in the passing game directly suit Herbert's skill set. Unlike Harbaugh's possession-based approach, McDaniel orchestrates explosive plays through route spacing and yards-after-catch creation (evident in his Dolphins tenure, when Miami generated explosive plays despite limited receiver talent). With new targets like speedster Brenen Thompson (4th round) and Swiss-Army-knife RB Keaton Mitchell added for versatility, Herbert has the complementary pieces to execute McDaniel's system effectively (per Chargers' Mike McDaniel move has NFL execs buzzing about Justin Herbert). NFL executives specifically praised the hire as "a great offense for Herbert," suggesting the coaching change could be the catalyst his career has needed.

May 27 update: Chargers' "dream scenario" for 2026 centers on Herbert finally getting both star tackles (Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater) healthy for a full season. Both missed significant time in 2025, with Slater out entirely and Alt appearing in just 6 games. Interior line reinforcements with Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, and Jake Slaughter (2nd round) aim to prevent 2025's interior collapse. If both tackles return and scheme works, Chargers could contend for AFC West for first time since 2009 (per Chargers fans will be hoping this dream 2026 season scenario plays out and Jim Harbaugh gives Chargers hope for 2026).

May 28 update: Herbert faces three daunting road tests in 2026: Week 4 at defending champion Seattle (after cross-country travel from Buffalo), Week 10 at Baltimore (Jesse Minter revenge game—the coach practiced against Herbert for two years and understands his tendencies), and Week 18 at Denver (potential AFC West decider with playoff implications). These matchups pit Herbert against elite defenses, though McDaniel's offensive scheme should generate easier reads and run-game support (per 3 toughest road games on the Chargers' 2026 schedule).

June 1 update: McDaniel is deploying a heavy 13-personnel scheme (3 TEs on field) similar to Sean McVay's Rams approach, which ran it 30.5% of the time in 2025. The Chargers' tight end trio—David Njoku, Oronde Gadsden II, and Charlie Kolar—should create a schematic nightmare for opposing defenses. In the red zone, where the Rams used 13-personnel 36.76% of the time (vs. league avg of 6.72%), this grouping could unlock the Chargers' struggling red-zone efficiency (per Observations from Chargers OTAs: Mike McDaniel May be Borrowing from Sean McVay, Rams).

June 8 update – Defensive stability: The Chargers' defense under coordinator Chris O'Leary projects as a top-10 unit in 2026, providing Herbert with a strong safety net of field position. A zone-heavy scheme that limited opponent yards, pass defense, run defense, and points-allowed across all categories in 2025 should keep games close. Key defensive moves—adding first-round DL Akheem Mesidor, defensive stalwarts Teair Tart, and edge rusher trio Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipiulotu, and Odafe Oweh—give Los Angeles balance on both lines. With a complete defensive unit and no major holes, the Chargers can credibly compete as Super Bowl contenders if Herbert executes McDaniel's system, reducing pressure for heroic offensive performance on every drive (per Chargers' greatest defensive strength could clear their path to Super Bowl contention).

All-Pro candidate in 2026: PFF projects Herbert as a first-time All-Pro candidate. Despite playing behind the league's lowest-graded offensive line in 2025 with a WR corps ranked 20th in PFF receiving grade, Herbert ranked 10th in overall PFF grade (78.0) among qualified QBs and posted a 2.6% turnover-worthy play rate (5th-lowest). His 90.6 PFF passing grade since 2021 is fourth-best among all QBs, making his lack of All-Pro selection surprising. With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both returning healthy and Mike McDaniel's system in place, the circumstances are "diametrically different" in 2026, and "the cards may finally fall into place" for an All-Pro season. (per 10 NFL players who could become first-time All-Pros in 2026)

June 16 update – Minicamp footwork changes: McDaniel is already showing measurable mechanical improvements with Herbert. He's shifted his shotgun stance from right foot ahead to left foot slightly in front—a subtle but fundamental change that facilitates quicker releases. McDaniel targets under-2.4-second delivery windows (where Herbert has been effective historically), and the pair have achieved "better mesh than expected" over just a few months. Minicamp will provide the first real-game test of how far Herbert's mechanics have evolved under McDaniel's guidance, setting up a strong 2026 if foundation improvements hold (per 2026 Chargers minicamp: Herbert's progress, contract intel).

June 17 minicamp – Harbaugh's public endorsement: Coach Jim Harbaugh offered his most enthusiastic public assessment yet, comparing Herbert intellectually to Mike McDaniel and saying both operate "at a different level" from himself. Harbaugh stated the more they work together (eight weeks as of mid-June), the better the partnership becomes, explicitly saying "we're in good shape" with Herbert running the offense. During the first minicamp practice, Herbert threw but was held out of team periods (7-on-7), a conservative approach suggesting Chargers are managing his workload carefully. This confidence from Harbaugh—having worked with Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Andrew Luck—carries weight as Herbert's biggest public advocate at the organizational level (per Oregon Quarterbacks Surprise At NFL Minicamp With Injury, Coach Updates).

June 18 minicamp progress – Mechanical refinement visible: McDaniel is engineering specific footwork changes with immediate impact. Herbert's shifted his shotgun stance from right foot ahead to left foot slightly in front—a fundamental adjustment that facilitates quicker releases and cleaner mechanics. McDaniel's target of under-2.4-second delivery windows aligns with Herbert's historical effectiveness. After just a few months working together, both describe their "mesh" as "better than expected," signaling the coaching pairing is accelerating faster than typical offseason transitions. Minicamp will show whether these mechanics hold in competitive 7-on-7 and team drills (per 2026 Chargers minicamp: Herbert's progress, contract intel).

June 18 offseason update – Intentional footwork rebuild: McDaniel is taking extreme measures to retrain Herbert's mechanics, temporarily removing him from throwing drills during parts of the offseason program. The approach mirrors what Tom Brady adopted in 2007 (50-TD season) and Brett Favre used throughout his HOF career: leading with the non-dominant left foot rather than the right-handed passer's natural right-foot-forward setup. McDaniel has studied this technique since his time with Kyle Shanahan in Houston (2007), noting potential advantages for timing and release. The bold step of benching Herbert from throwing to focus purely on footwork signals organizational conviction that mechanical improvements are the prerequisite to offensive explosion in 2026 (per 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Chargers Adjusting QB Justin Herbert's Footwork)

AFC West case for Chargers (June 22): The division outlook frames Herbert's situation as a pivotal fork. McDaniel's quick-passing attack should reduce hits Herbert absorbed under Harbaugh's possession-based system, but he'll need to adjust to the scheme's demands. The offensive line improvements (Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, Jake Slaughter at 2nd round) and Keaton Mitchell's addition for scheme fit are "strokes of genius" if both star tackles (Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater) return healthy—unresolved at this point. The case against: Unknown variables on whether Slater and Alt return at full health, how quickly Herbert adapts to McDaniel's scheme, and whether defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary can maintain last year's top-5 unit without departing coordinator Jesse Minter. Chargers have "no glaring roster hole" but must prove coordinator changes overcome past underperformance (consecutive AFC West runner-up finishes, quick playoff exits). (per AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win division).

August 3 NFL.com Top 100 ranking: Herbert makes his 6th consecutive appearance on the annual NFL.com Top 100 Players list, ranked 39th overall—the second-highest placement of his career. The ranking acknowledges his 2025 toughness playing through a fractured left hand while facing league-high 263 pressures. He ranked 9th in passing yards (3,727) and tied for 7th in touchdowns (26) while adding a career-high 498 rushing yards (2nd among QBs). Khalil Mack praised his "tenacity and grit and resolve," calling him "the most unique person I've seen at that position" in his 12-year career. The ranking reflects optimism around Year 3 under Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel's offensive system (per Justin Herbert Ranked 39th, Makes 6th Consecutive NFL Top 100 List Appearance - Los Angeles Chargers).

August 19 offensive line challenges resurface: Just as the Chargers felt confident about their offensive line health entering training camp, injuries struck again. Center Tyler Biadasz suffered an ACL tear and additional knee damage in a joint practice and was carted off, putting him out indefinitely after signing a three-year, $30M deal to fix the line. Left tackle Rashawn Slater experienced a "flare up" in his surgically repaired knee and missed over a week of practice. Herbert, who was pressured on a league-leading 29.8% of dropbacks in 2025, now faces uncertainty about his protection heading into the season. Backup center Jake Slaughter (second-round pick) will likely replace Biadasz and has been working at guard, further disrupting line depth (per Chargers' bad luck continues as offensive line injuries threaten their season again).

August 18 preseason center injury: Tyler Biadasz, the veteran center signed to fix the interior O-line, suffered a left leg injury in joint practice with the 49ers. McDaniel's offensive scheme requires exceptional center-QB synergy for pre-snap motion and zone running. The Chargers have backup Jake Slaughter (2nd round) but a rookie taking over would put significant pressure on Herbert early in the season (per Tyler Biadasz injury: Chargers center carted off)

August 19 offensive line crisis revisits: The Chargers' O-line health collapsed again, threatening the optimistic 2026 outlook. Biadasz is out indefinitely with ACL damage, Rashawn Slater (LT) suffered a "flare up" in his surgically repaired patellar tendon and missed over a week of practice, and Joe Alt (RT) is still recovering from 2025 ankle injuries. This returns Herbert to the 2025 scenario where he led the NFL in pressures (29.8% pressure rate). The McDaniel system depends on O-line stability to execute quick-passing and spacing concepts. If both star tackles don't return fully healthy, Herbert's ceiling is significantly constrained despite the coaching upgrade (per Chargers' bad luck continues as offensive line injuries threaten their season ... again).

Training camp verdict: Chargers offense worthy of hype (Aug 6): After observing Chargers practices from July OTAs through early August camp, McDaniel's system shows real promise. Herbert's supporting cast—tight end Charlie Kolar (former Raven, proven blocker with elite athleticism), second-year RB Omarion Hampton (on pace for 60+ targets, 300+ total touches before 2025 injury), and versatile receivers like Ladd McConkey—provides the "offensive depth any other team would covet" in McDaniel's multiple, motion-heavy scheme. The play-calling is intentional and creative: one illustrative play featured McConkey streaking up the seam after Njoku's slot motion forced the defense to show coverage, with the ball in the air before the secondary could react. Herbert's execution has been precise—one red-zone segment saw him complete eight straight passes, identifying every broken coverage and out-of-sync defender. If the injury luck holds on the offensive line (Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater returning healthy), the Chargers could be AFC West contenders and potentially the top team in the AFC. Herbert's ceiling under McDaniel's system is exceptionally high (per The Most Important Story Lines of NFL Training Camp (So Far)).

Recent News

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)

Coaches shaping Justin's role

Jim HarbaughHead CoachMike McDanielOffensive CoordinatorShane DayOffensive Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks CoachSteve ClinkscaleDefensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs CoachButch BarryOffensive Line CoachNick HardwickAssistant Offensive Line Coach

What the Experts Are Saying

Ron StewartHow to Draft the Perfect Fantasy Football Team in 15 Minutes
Flock FantasyTop 100 Rankings & Tiers - 2026 Fantasy Football
Sal VetriMy Top 100 Rankings for 2026 Fantasy Football