The Chargers enter this season with a new play-caller for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Former Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi takes over the position. On Tuesday, Lombardi spoke to the media for the first time, emphasizing that the offense will be centered around Herbert.
“I think we’re going to tell him that we’re going to build it around him,” Lombardi said. “As we start this process, let’s look at what he was most comfortable with last year and in his time at Oregon, and what he has had the most success with.
Starting with those building blocks, here’s a series of plays that you already know that you can find a completion because you know exactly where to go with the football. Just give him that comfort level at the start, knowing that he’s starting with what he has been successful at.”
Herbert is coming off one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback, throwing for over 3,600 yards and totaling 36 touchdowns.
After spending over a decade mentoring QB Drew Brees, Lombardi is tasked with getting Herbert to that caliber of a player. He knows that he is capable of doing so with the traits that he already possesses.
“He’s got a skillset that is elite,” Lombardi said in his Tuesday press conference. “It appears there’s nothing he can’t do. He’s got an incredibly strong arm, good accuracy, he’s very athletic, and it sounds like he’s a real smart guy that’s a good leader.
Lombardi wants to establish a balance between passing and running the football, but he is aware that airing it out could be the way to go with a player who’s at his best when distributing the wealth.
“When you have a quarterback as talented as Justin, you want to let him throw the ball when it’s appropriate — that’s for sure,” Lombardi said.
An issue in Herbert’s rookie season was that he was held back from throwing the football a handful of times, especially during crucial situations. The goal moving forward should be to let him be the one to put the team in position to win games rather than being conservative.
“I’m a big fan of going for it on fourth down,” Lombardi said. He added that data shows NFL coaches generally are not aggressive enough.
Lombardi’s time as an offensive coordinator was short lived after only spending two seasons with the Lions. He feels like he learned what that to be more flexible.
“When you’re put in a new situation where the schedule is different, and maybe around coaches that weren’t used to doing things the way that you were used to,” Lombardi said. “Just having the flexibility to adjust a little bit better, maybe than we did back then.”
It’ll be easier to get back on track when also having players like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to use.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone just consistently get separation like Keenan Allen and having another receiver like Mike (Williams) on the other side of them,” said Lombardi.
Another skill player who will come in handy is running back Austin Ekeler, who Lombardi is excited to utilize his multi-dimensional skill set.
“I know that Ekeler has some of the skill sets that I’m used to seeing in New Orleans with whether it was Reggie (Bush) or Darren Sproles or AK (Alvin Kamara),” Lombardi explained. So that’s exciting to have someone with that skill set, and you know, it’s very exciting to come knowing that those pieces are in place and that we got a good chance to hit the ground running.”
While Lombardi hasn’t had the best results as an offensive coordinator, he appears to have a good game plan in store to get the most out of Herbert and the offense, as the team looks to get back to their winning ways in their first season under head coach Brandon Staley.