Tag: Herbert

Projecting the Chargers’ quarterback depth chart in 2024

Predicting who will make up the Chargers’ quarterback room entering the 2024 season.

Over the next month, ahead of training camp, I will break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

First, I project what the quarterback room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

QB1: Justin Herbert

Herbert suffered a finger injury that cost him the final four games of last season. But he should return to form, even with a new scheme, which is expected to be predicated on running the ball.

Despite the new offensive approach, Herbert is one of the most prolific passers in the NFL, and I expect the coaching staff to still play to his strengths by using his arm to distribute the wealth.

Additionally, Herbert has his quarterbacks coach back in Shane Day, who Herbert had a lot of success under in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

As long as Herbert is under center, the sky is the limit for the Chargers.

QB2: Easton Stick

The Chargers re-signed Stick to serve as Herbert’s backup.

Stick had served as the backup with zero experience as a starter until this past season when Herbert was sidelined with his finger injury.

Stick went on to start the final four games and finished with 1,129 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 144 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.

Misses the cut: Max Duggan

Duggan was drafted in the seventh round last year, yet he still ended up on the practice squad. I see that as the likely scenario again.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert has 6th-best odds to win MVP next season

Oddsmakers believe Justin Herbert has a decent chance of winning the MVP award in 2024.

Oddsmakers believe Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a decent chance of winning the MVP award next season.

Herbert has the sixth-highest MVP odds at +1400; a $100 bet would win $1,400. He is right below Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (+600), Bills’ Josh Allen (+800), Bengals’ Joe Burrow (+900), Texans’ CJ Stroud (+1100) and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (+1200), per BetMGM.

After getting a massive payday last offseason, Herbert’s campaign wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as he dealt with injuries to both hands, with a fractured index on his right hand ending his season early.

In 13 games, Herbert had a 65.1 percent completion rate for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 52 carries for 228 yards and three more scores.

Looking ahead to this season, Herbert will be playing in yet another offensive system, going from Kellen Moore to Greg Roman.

Roman is expected to come in and improve the run game, which should take some pressure off Herbert and allow for more designed carries for him. A good rushing attack should lead to more deep passes through play action, where he should thrive with his big arm.

Look for Herbert to have a bounce-back season in 2024, and potentially make a case for the league’s most valuable player.

Chargers 2024 offseason position preview: Quarterback

Evaluating the Chargers’ quarterback room entering the offseason.

After receiving a contract that briefly made him the highest-paid quarterback of all time, Justin Herbert was largely the same player on tape in 2023 that we’ve become accustomed to seeing in most of his other seasons. Unfortunately, what surrounded Herbert on offense was not as strong. Several high-profile, season-ending injuries collapsed the Chargers season around him in addition to the adverse coaching situation.

20 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and 3000+ yards in 13 games wasn’t going to win him awards, but it also became clear that the state of the offense, in addition to his own personal injuries affected what the potential production could’ve been.

Herbert played through fractures of his non-throwing hand throughout the season. Eventually, he’d be shut down after he injured his index finger on his throwing hand against the Broncos in Week 14. While he could’ve potentially played through it under some circumstances as opposed to opting for the surgery outright, the Chargers rapidly falling out of the playoff picture made the decision to sit him easy.

To kick off our offseason position preview series, we’re evaluating the quarterback group entering the offseason.

Social media reacts to Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s season-ending injury news

The general population reacted to the news that Justin Herbert will miss the rest of the season.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert would be out with a fractured right finger for the remainder of the season.

Even though Los Angeles is not trending toward making the playoffs, it’s tough to know that Herbert will miss time with an injury that was a result of poor protection, which has been an issue all season.

The Bolts will turn to Easton Stick to start at quarterback for the rest of the 2023 season.

Here is how social media reacted after it was announced that Herbert will have season-ending surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chargers QB Justin Herbert won’t be affected by finger injury vs. Cowboys

There aren’t going to be any limitations for Justin Herbert.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is not likely to be affected by the injured finger on his non-throwing hand when the Chargers take on the Cowboys on Monday night.

“I think there’s so much going on during the game that you’re probably not going to be worrying about it too much. I think you’re just going to be worried about not getting tackled or not taking those hits. Whether it’s a scramble, it’s about being safe and getting down. That’s in the back of your mind.”

Herbert sustained the injury in Week 4 in the win over the Raiders. It occurred after he threw an interception. He attempted to make a tackle on the defender, but his finger got caught in the helmet of Maxx Crosby, resulting in him finishing the game with a large splint on his hand.

“I think it gets better every day,” Herbert said. “It’s nice having the bye week to get our bodies back. I think it’s getting better every day.”

Herbert said he plans to play with a glove on his hand as a way of protection and helping him get a better grip on the football.

Herbert didn’t take any snaps under center throughout the week of practice to protect his finger, but he did note that they’ve got some plays under center designed for the game.

Evaluating Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s MVP odds ahead of 2023 season

Justin Herbert’s MVP odds are very promising.

With a new offensive coordinator leading the way in Kellen Moore and the Chargers projected to be better on paper than they were last season, Justin Herbert’s MVP odds are worth evaluating. Herbert will be looking to prevent a potential repeat win by Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in 2023.

Currently, over on FanDuel Sportsbook, Herbert is fourth in line at +900 to win MVP. Three quarterbacks are tied in odds ahead of him: Mahomes, Bills’ Josh Allen, and Bengals’ Joe Burrow are all at +700 as we approach the season. Just behind Herbert is Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson at +1200 and +1500, respectively.

FanDuel AP NFL Regular Season MVP 2023-24 odds:

  • Josh Allen +700
  • Joe Burrow +700
  • Patrick Mahomes +700
  • Justin Herbert +900
  • Jalen Hurts +1200
  • Lamar Jackson +1500
  • Trevor Lawrence +1600
  • Aaron Rodgers +1600
  • Tua Tagovailoa +1600
  • Dak Prescott +1600

The top 10 players in terms of odds aren’t too surprising. Given that MVP consideration is largely a single-season “best quarterback” award now, this group is all of the signal callers primed for regular-season success. Outside of Jets’ Aaron Rodgers, who switched teams in the offseason, each quarterback on the list will be looking to take their respective teams back to the playoffs in 2023.

The price for Herbert seems just about right. He’s one of those top-five quarterbacks that can always be in contention for the award. New weapons and the addition of Kellen Moore can make a potential Herbert bet sound appealing.

From a statistics standpoint, it’s probably safe to say Herbert will bounce back with a 4800+ yard season with 35+ touchdowns in 2023. Considering the offensive changes, there’s no doubt in my mind that the former Oregon quarterback can produce the stat line to potentially win the award.

But there’s one rather large problem with Herbert’s candidacy. That would be the Kansas City Chiefs and the aforementioned Mahomes. As long as Mahomes continues to put up 5000-yard seasons while winning the division, a Herbert bet is rather tough to make convincingly.

The recent history of the NFL MVP award demonstrates that they tend not to give it runner-ups in a division as well. The last MVP player whose team did not finish first in the division was Adrian Peterson in 2012. For quarterbacks, Peyton Manning was the most recent winner of the award that didn’t win his division in 2008.

More important than any potential statistical edge over the field for Herbert in 2023 is ultimately team success. If Herbert is able to split the season series with Mahomes and the Chargers finish on top in the AFC West for the first time since 2009, he could very well be the favorite to win the award. But with the fourth-best odds, I’m not sure there’s enough value in the price to make the bet with a rather glaring obstacle in his way.

Chargers 2023 roster review: RB Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler heads into a contract year with the Chargers after extension talks between the two sides broke off earlier this offseason.

Training camp is approaching and with a few more weeks of dead time in the NFL offseason, Chargers Wire is documenting each of Los Angeles’ players before it kicks off.

Austin Ekeler heads into a contract year with the Chargers after extension talks between the two sides broke off earlier in the offseason. While Ekeler did initially file a trade request, a contract adjustment with incentives was enough to get him back in the building for 2023.

In his 2022 campaign, Ekeler put up 915 rushing yards, 722 receiving yards, and 18 total scrimmage touchdowns. 915 rushing yards was a career single-season high for the former undrafted running back out of Western Colorado. Ekeler received votes for AP Offensive Player of the Year last season and finished ninth.

While Ekeler might not accumulate better stats this season, one could think a new offensive approach could actually lead to an opportunity for more explosive plays. Despite finishing with 700+ receiving yards, 6.7 yards per reception was actually the lowest of his career. Getting Ekeler into open space creatively and not overusing him as a check-down option could benefit both sides.

Ekeler’s mission for 2023 is simple. In a declining running back market, he’s going to need yet another career year in order to get paid next offseason. Considering the Chargers’ cap situation going forward, 2023 also likely represents Ekeler’s last chance to make a playoff run with this current nucleus of players that he’s been with in LA.

2023 Contract:

  • Value: $6.25 million
  • Prorated bonus: $1.5 million
  • Cap number: $7.75 million
  • Fully Guaranteed Money: $0
  • Potential incentives added in: $1.75 million

Acquired: Ekeler enters his seventh season with the Chargers in 2023 after being signed as one of their undrafted free agents.

Quote: Ekeler on trade request and returning to the team:

“For me, I understand that I have one more obligation here. One more year that I’m obligated to be here. I wanted to go poke around and see if there was any other value. If not, right? Come back and have my last year. Like I said before, do what I can do here.”

Highlight:

Predicting Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s stats for 2023 season

Justin Herbert took a step back in terms of raw production in 2022, but should be primed for an excellent 2023 campaign under Kellen Moore.

Justin Herbert’s excellent play under center for the Chargers has taken the NFL by storm in recent seasons, and with the 2023 campaign on the horizon, it seems his trajectory is pointed ever-upward.

The fourth-year quarterback came within 300 yards of setting his personal-best mark for a single-season passing production in 2022 but took a considerable step back in terms of raw scoring last season.

Los Angeles made considerable investments at the receiver position in the 2023 NFL draft, which should help Herbert exceed his 2022 numbers under newly-minted offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

In addition to the veteran presence of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on the boundary, rookie pass catcher Quentin Johnston looks to be a key factor in the Chargers’ air attack next season, which should give Herbert options in the pocket.

Under normal circumstances, a conservative projection for Herbert’s output would look something like 4,500 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Still, given the team’s investments in his supporting cast and the make-or-break stakes of the 2023 season, he should be expected to push the envelope.

Our bottom line, all factors considered estimate for his production next season looks closer to 5,100 yards, 38 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, assuming that he plays each of the 17 games on Los Angeles’ schedule.

In an unpredictable league, though, watch for these numbers to be lower if the Chargers encounter issues with the implementation of Moore’s offense.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert details injuries during 2022 season

Chargers QB Justin Herbert was hamstrung by a couple of injuries.

Expectations were high for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert entering his third season.

While he finished second in passing yards (4,739) and third in completion percentage (68.2%), Herbert was hamstrung by a couple of injuries that kept him from playing at the level of his first two campaigns.

Herbert suffered fractured rib cartilage in the second week of the season against the Chiefs. Additionally, he sustained a torn labrum in his left shoulder at some point, resulting in having surgery at the end of the season.

Herbert spoke to Kay Adams on Up & Adams, detailing how the injuries impacted him during the season.

“I think the ribs early on were pretty tough,” Herbert said. “It’s kind of a discomfort that I had to deal with for six or seven weeks. But as that got better, time healed.

The shoulder was kind of another discomfort thing. I was able to throw and was able to do everything, but I was kind of limited during practice. So, I had to find my way of being out there and getting all the reps without actually doing them all.”

After taking the huge shot to the ribs from Chiefs edge defender Mike Danna, Herbert, surprisingly, would miss just one play before returning to the field and finishing the game despite taking several more shots to the affected area.

“I’d like to think so,” Herbert said when asked if toughness is his defining characteristic. “As a quarterback and teammate, you need to be able to put everything on the line.

So even when you don’t feel great, and you don’t want to play, and you don’t want to go to practice, you need to be able to go out there and give your best cause your teammates deserve that.”

The Chargers expect Herbert to be cleared for participation in the spring.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert undergoes surgery to repair torn labrum

Chargers QB Justin Herbert had surgery last Wednesday.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had surgery last Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the team announced Sunday.

Herbert is expected to be fully cleared for participation in off-season activities this spring.

It’s unclear when Herbert suffered the injury. But he first appeared on the injury report with a left shoulder after Los Angeles’ Week 17 matchup with the Rams.

Herbert had played most of this season with fractured rib cartilage that he suffered in Week 2 against the Chiefs. He finished the season with 4,739 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.

Herbert was selected as an alternate for the AFC in the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games but will be unable to participate due to the procedure.