Los Angeles Chargers need Hebert to take next step

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Rhian Jones

Justin Herbert has been everything and more than what the Los Angeles Chargers hoped for after selecting the quarterback with the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The former Oregon Duck was nothing short of sensational in his rookie season, earning the offensive rookie of the year award, throwing 31 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. The Chargers finished the term with a 7-9 record, which was a solid showing for Herbert, but not head coach Anthony Lynn who was fired and replaced by Brandon Staley.

Herbert displayed improvement in the 2021 season, although it was not enough to steer the Chargers back into the post-season, narrowly missing out with a 9-8 record. There were opportunities for Los Angeles throughout the year, they just failed to take them, notably losing twice in overtime to their AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The loss to the Chiefs was particularly galling after holding a lead late in the game, only for Patrick Mahomes to tie the contest before leading his team down the field in overtime to seal a comeback win.

Herbert had a chance to put the game to bed with a final drive in regulation, but failed to put the Chargers into field-goal range. Those are the minute differences between quarterbacks that are clutch and those that are not. The 23-year-old is still an outstanding player and one of the best in his position in the NFL.

However, until he can close out games, the Chargers will never be contenders for the Super Bowl. Los Angeles are backed at +1400 in the , suggesting that they are among the leading contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Reaching the playoffs will be a major challenge due to the fierce level of competition in the AFC Conference and especially in the AFC West division.

If dealing with Mahomes was not enough, the Chargers now have to face Russell Wilson twice a season after his trade to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos finished last in the AFC West last term, but the addition of Wilson will boost their offense, while their defense under Vic Fangio has been fairly solid.

The Raiders have a new coach and Davante Adams in their ranks, which will give all defensive coordinators food for thought when facing off against Derek Carr and company. Simply put, the Chargers and Herbert have no margin for error, they have to be better than their rivals in all aspects to position themselves for a playoff run.

The Chargers maintained most of their offensive talent and, unlike the 2021 campaign, there has been no turnover on the coaching staff. Herbert has both familiarity with his playmakers and his offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, so there is no reason why the offense cannot hit the ground running to start the campaign.

The 23-year-old has all the talent at his disposal, he now needs to prove that he belongs in the upper echelon of quarterbacks. Joe Burrow proved last season that a great quarterback can revive an underachieving franchise, and now the pressure is on Herbert to do the same in 2022.