Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert showed amazing grit and toughness in last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He really stood out in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. Even with his offensive line’s shortcomings, Herbert proved he’s a gamer and filled with talent. He sealed a huge comeback victory for his squad with a series of standout plays.
In an entertaining game, Herbert escaped a grab from Broncos DL Zach Allen. He demonstrated truly elite level talent in how he managed to avoid or evade the pressure. Quarterback Justin Herbert completed a beautiful 30-yard TD pass to wide receiver Keenan Allen right before halftime. It came from what would seem to be an impossible angle! These signature moments showcased Herbert’s incredible toughness and playmaking skills, even as fears continued to grow that he wasn’t being protected on the field.
Still, worries on Herbert’s protection have been raised by both head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. They understood how they failed Herbert as a team throughout this game. He fought against a tidal wave of pressure on the defensive end. Herbert has already taken a mind-boggling 26 quarterback hits on the year. He’s been sacked seven times as well, with defenders in his face on more than half of his dropbacks (54.3 percent).
Over the course of that game against the Broncos, Herbert went down twice and was otherwise pressured an astounding 21 times. Team executives and analysts alike are rightly alarmed by this growing trend. Most surprisingly, Herbert equaled his interception count from all of last year—three—in a span of four weeks, finishing the contest with two picks.
Offensive Coach Jim Harbaugh was deploring Herbert’s fate, saying “He’s taken too many hits.” His remarks reflect a growing apprehension regarding the quarterback’s health and performance under continuous defensive pressure.
Herbert himself is still very much in game mode, despite knowing the risks that come with his position. “It’s part of the game. Playing quarterback is you’re going to get hit,” he stated. Continuing to underscore the need to be prepared, he then added, “Well, you gotta be ready to get punched in the mouth.
The offensive line as a whole has been equally accountable for all of Herbert’s woes. Trey Pipkins III noted, “That’s on us and we’ll fix it in our room,” indicating a commitment to improving protection for their quarterback in future games.
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