Justin Herbert, signal-caller of the Los Angeles Chargers, is enjoying one helluva season. His rushing numbers are out of this world 🚀 👀 like never before ‼️ This turn of events is a product of a very well chronicled injury sullied offensive line that firmly ranked right there with the worst in the NFL. Under greater duress, Herbert took more of a checkdown approach by design. Now he is putting that combination of agility and speed to remarkable use on a football field.
This season, Herbert has been under pressure 135 times. Specifically, 60 of those pressures occurred in less than 2.5 seconds from his dropback. This pressure has pushed him to use his legs more to extend plays and escape defenders. As a rusher, he has become an equally formidable threat. He logged the third most scrambles in the league at 61 while averaging a ridiculous 10.8 yards per scramble.
Herbert’s mobility has not gone unnoticed. Since the 2020 NFL Combine, he has proven just how freakishly athletic he is. He had the third-fastest 40-yard dash time for quarterbacks, running a 4.68. His top speed during scrambles this season peaked at 19.82 mph, showcasing his ability to break away from defenders when necessary.
Measuring in at 6-foot-6, 236 pounds, Herbert feels comfortable lowering his shoulder and running over defenders. This more aggressive, physical style has paid off, as exhibited by his career-high 26.6 rushing yards per game this season. This year, he took his conditioning to another level. That’s a grueling exam, which put him to the test by having him run 150 yards six times in quick succession.
In Week 4 against the New York Giants, Herbert left opponents and analysts alike slack-jawed at his resolve. He ran for 24 yards on an important third-and-19 for a first down. He continued to display his ability to scramble with an impressive 41-yard run to help earn yet another first down against the Washington Commanders. These moves highlight his incredible versatility even in the most pressured of circumstances. They laud how he’s opened up his game to become more mobile this season.
As impressive as Herbert’s passing game development has been, the Chargers coaching staff have seen his progression in the running game. They’ve implored him to use his legs more consistently in the game plan. Shane Day, the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach, emphasized the importance of this adjustment, stating, “We’ve emphasized using his legs, making more plays with his legs to help the team.”
Herbert’s deep drop performance under duress showcases his physical abilities as much as it does his football IQ. Day explained, “He never does anything and he always reacts and he’s always right. It’s that instinctual playmaking that allows at times to superbly improvise around complicated defensive scheming. He consistently locates open receivers, even when cursory passing patterns have disintegrated.
The rookie quarterback’s poise, ability to improvise and make decisions in a matter of split seconds has certainly wowed his teammates, too. Rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston remarked on Herbert’s unique skills: “Whatever you take away, he goes to the other guy… It’s a very unique skill to just be able to play football, go through your progressions and obviously just play the play.” Johnston’s observations underscore the multifaceted nature of Herbert’s game.
All things considered, and in spite of an ineffective offensive line, Herbert has found a way to succeed. In his second season, he set an impressive franchise record with a 90-yard rushing touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This performance is proof of his astounding physical prowess. It exemplifies the depth of his determined work to change his mobility, something he resolved to do for himself before this season started.
Herbert’s newfound mobility can be seen in a number of different scenarios on the field. To back it up, he currently leads the league in yards per scramble at a whopping 11.9 yards. This stat is pulled from all quarterbacks who have a minimum of five scrambles. Those kinds of numbers are a testament to his efficiency when choosing to run rather than just passing the ball.
Herbert’s unique mix of speed and physicality have led to some of the most impressive plays of the season. For instance, he connected with wide receiver Keenan Allen for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos, showcasing his ability to balance running and passing effectively.
With the season rolling on, Herbert’s goal is to continue improving his mobility and all-around production on the field. He is extremely devoted to training, getting in peak condition and working on speed. Recently, he was clocked at a blazing 21.6 mph in practice this year, up from last year’s top speed of 20.7 mph.
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