Tag: Justin Herbert stats

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 shows updated throwing mechanics at OTAs

Justin Herbert went to work on his throwing mechanics this offseason and it is noticeable.

Over the course of the 2022 season, the Los Angeles Chargers had their struggles. From injuries to the offensive scheme, it wasn’t an easy road to the playoffs — and someone whose production was reduced because of this was quarterback Justin Herbert.

Since entering the league in 2020, Herbert has stood out among young quarterbacks, touting impressive stat lines, athleticism and an elite pocket presence. In 2021, he remained one of the top five QBs in the league in nearly every possible stat. The expectation was that production would continue to increase, but with a rib injury, an injured roster and a scheme that failed to highlight his best qualities, the production dropped. Yet through these highs and lows in his first three years, one thing has been consistent: his throwing mechanics.

For his first three seasons, Herbert often used a low-release, sidearm throwing motion. It continued into the 2022 season and could have been a byproduct of his rib injury or just a general coaching strategy on Shane Day’s part. As we watch Herbert in OTAs this summer, we can see a clear change in the way he passes the football. His release is higher, the arc of the pass is lifted and thankfully the velocity is still elite.

This is very good news for Chargers fans. With a healthy wide receiver corps and an exciting new scheme from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the uptick in Herbert’s production should be highly noticeable. Even at 6-foot-6, Herbert struggled with batted passes because of his lower release and a more predictable offense in 2022. The higher release should reduce the amount of batted balls. On top of this, Moore’s projected offensive scheme will allow Herbert to increase his yards per play.

Many elite quarterbacks in the NFL end up working on their mechanics and having success afterward. We saw this happen when Josh Allen had the opportunity to focus on his mechanics with now Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Immediately after working on his mechanics, Allen was having MVP-level seasons and leading his team to the playoffs year in and year out. Daboll continued this success by elevating the mechanics and production of Daniel Jones in 2022. This type of work bodes well for the future of the Chargers franchise QB.

Sophomore Star: Reliving Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s 2021 season

Justin Herbert was born to be great.

Following the best rookie season by an NFL quarterback, many expected Justin Herbert to experience one of those infamous sophomore slumps which a handful of signal-callers have endured before.

Instead, Herbert continued to take the league by storm, shattering records weekly. The most notable was the most touchdown passes by a Charger in a single season, dethroning Philip Rivers’ previous record of 34.

Under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and quarterbacks coach Shane Day, Herbert dazzled with his arm talent and athleticism and showed continuous growth, especially in terms of reading complex coverages, all while dealing with a leaky right side of the offensive line.

In the end, Herbert finished Year 2 with a 65.9 completion percentage, 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions, 302 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.

Herbert ranks first among quarterbacks in their first 2 seasons in NFL history in passing touchdowns (69), passing yards (9,350), and completions (839).

Herbert has put himself among the cream of the crop quarterbacks, and the crazy thing is that the best is still yet to come.

To relive some of Herbert’s best moments from this past season, check out the video below.

Despite loss to Cowboys, Chargers QB Justin Herbert set another milestone

Another week of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert making history.

The Chargers were unable to overcome a slew of penalties in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. But it was quarterback Justin Herbert who kept the team in the game throughout.

Herbert threw for 338 passing yards, which tied Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino for the most games (10) in NFL history with 300 yards in his first two seasons.

Even though Herbert threw two interceptions, he still made high-end plays under a lot more pressure than he was last week against Washington.

Had two penalties not taken away two touchdowns, Herbert’s three would have been enough to guide Los Angeles to victory over Dallas.

Herbert had a 37-yard touchdown pass to Donald Parham taken away when Jared Cook was called for holding. Herbert was then picked in the end zone three plays later.

In the fourth quarter, Herbert had a 2-yard touchdown pass to Cook taken away because of an illegal shift motion penalty. The Chargers then had to settle for a field goal on that series.

It wasn’t Herbert’s best game, but the 22-year old still flashed glimpses of dominance, which resulted in him writing his name in the history books.