Being under new offensive systems isn’t anything new to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
During his time at Oregon, Herbert played under three different head coaches since his freshman season.
After Brandon Staley replaced Anthony Lynn, it’ll mark his fifth head coach.
Even though he’s used to it at this point, Herbert hopes that the constant changes stop occurring while noting a positive that comes from having to master a new system.
“I’ve been through this before. It would be great to have one playbook throughout your career but it’s not going to always happen like that,” Herbert said, per the Associated Press’ Joe Reedy. “I think it’s a great opportunity to learn. You always learn from each playbook.
I think you have a great understanding of the game of football the more you go through it. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from so many different guys and philosophies and I think that’s helped my game. Hopefully, this is the last change that I’ll go through because I really believe in those two guys.”
Not every quarterback is capable of doing it, but Herbert has been able to due to his high football IQ.
It’s likely that the Chargers will be diligent about how they go about the process. Some of the concepts from last season will probably carry over to help with the learning curve, similar to how the coaching staff went about it in 2020.
In the meantime, Herbert said he has started watch film of the Saints because Joe Lombardi, the team’s new offensive coordinator, was their quarterbacks coach in New Orleans.
Herbert also noted that the transition might be easier because John Beck, the person he trains with in Huntington Beach, CA, has worked with former Saints QB Drew Brees in the past.
Herbert is currently the front-runner to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after finishing a phenomenal campaign which included rookie passing records for touchdowns (31) and the second-most passing yards at 4,336.