Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy

At the core of the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive identity—and their pursuit of an AFC playoff spot—stands quarterback Justin Herbert, whose unique blend of arm strength, accuracy, and mobility has made him the linchpin of the team’s strategy. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy isn’t limited to throwing touchdowns or managing drives; it’s about shaping every facet of the offense, from playcalling to teammate development, and serving as a calm, reliable leader in high-pressure moments. For the Chargers, Herbert isn’t just a quarterback—he’s the foundation upon which their entire game plan is built, a player whose skills allow the team to exploit defensive weaknesses and adapt to any opponent.

Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy begins with his elite passing ability, which serves as the engine of the Chargers’ aerial attack. Herbert’s career 66.2% completion rate and 8.1 yards per attempt rank among the NFL’s top five quarterbacks since he entered the league in 2020, and his 124 career touchdown passes are the most by any quarterback in their first four seasons. What makes Herbert’s passing so critical to the Chargers’ strategy is his precision in tight windows—he completes 58% of his passes into coverage, per Pro Football Focus, well above the league average of 49%. This skill lets the Chargers run aggressive passing concepts, like deep posts to wide receiver Keenan Allen or seam routes to tight end Gerald Everett, even against top-tier defenses. In Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Herbert completed 72% of his passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard strike to Allen in double coverage that set up the game-winning field goal. “Justin’s ability to make tough throws turns good plays into great ones,” said Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. “He gives us the confidence to call plays that other teams can’t run. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy is defined by this passing prowess—it’s what makes our offense dangerous.”

Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy also hinges on his ability to extend plays with his legs, a skill that adds a dynamic layer to the Chargers’ offense and keeps defenses off balance. Though Herbert isn’t known as a rushing quarterback (he averages 21 rushing yards per game), his 6-foot-6 frame and quick decision-making let him escape pressure and turn broken plays into positive gains. This season, Herbert has recorded 18 “escape plays”—instances where he avoided a sack and either completed a pass or gained yards on the ground—leading to 145 yards of offense that otherwise would have been lost. In Week 10 against the Detroit Lions, Herbert escaped a sack by Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, scrambled to his right, and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Everett, turning a potential third-and-15 into a score. “Justin’s mobility changes how defenses rush him,” said Chargers offensive line coach Brendan Nugent. “They can’t just pin their ears back and sack him—they have to account for the possibility that he’ll extend the play. This opens up running lanes for our backs and gives our receivers extra time to get open. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy is about more than passing; it’s about creating opportunities when the play breaks down.”

Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy includes his growing influence as a game manager, a role that has become increasingly important as the Chargers fight for a playoff spot. In his first three seasons, Herbert was known for his big arm and willingness to take risks, but this year, he’s added a new layer of discipline—cutting his interception rate from 2.3% in 2022 to 1.4% in 2023 and leading the NFL in fourth-quarter completion rate (74%). This shift lets the Chargers execute a more balanced strategy, mixing aggressive passes with controlled runs and short, high-percentage throws to keep the chains moving. In Week 14 against the Denver Broncos, Herbert led the Chargers on a 12-play, 75-yard drive in the final two minutes, completing all six of his passes for 68 yards and a touchdown to seal a 24-21 win. “Justin’s maturity as a game manager has changed our entire approach,” said Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. “He knows when to take risks and when to play it safe, and that’s a skill that comes with experience. The Los Angeles Chargers’ strategy now includes more situational flexibility because we trust Justin to make the right call. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy is about leading us through critical moments—and he’s doing that better than ever.”

Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy also extends to elevating the performance of his teammates, many of whom have seen their production increase significantly since playing with Herbert. Allen, who has played with three quarterbacks in his Chargers career, has recorded 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his four seasons with Herbert—something he never did with previous quarterbacks. Running back Austin Ekeler, meanwhile, has become a dual-threat weapon, thanks in part to Herbert’s ability to hit him in the flat or on screen passes; Ekeler has 245 career receptions for 2,014 yards with Herbert, compared to 112 receptions for 923 yards in his first three seasons. “Justin makes everyone around him better,” Allen said in a recent interview. “He puts the ball exactly where it needs to be, even when you’re covered, and he’s always looking for the open guy. The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense is successful because Justin brings out the best in all of us.” Herbert’s leadership off the field also plays a role: he hosts weekly film sessions with receivers and tight ends, breaking down coverages and discussing how to exploit them. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy isn’t just about his own performance—it’s about making the entire offense stronger.

Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy is also defined by his ability to adapt to opposing defenses, a skill that has made the Chargers’ offense one of the most unpredictable in the NFL. Herbert studies film for 10+ hours per week, analyzing defensive tendencies and identifying weaknesses he can exploit. This preparation lets him make pre-snap adjustments, like changing a play from a run to a pass if he sees a defensive alignment that favors the pass, or shifting a receiver to a different spot to create a mismatch. In Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Herbert noticed the Raiders were using a Cover 2 defense on third down, so he called an audible to a slant route to Allen—resulting in a 15-yard completion and a first down. “Justin’s football IQ is off the charts,” Moore said. “He understands defenses better than most quarterbacks, and that lets us be more aggressive and flexible. The Los Angeles Chargers’ strategy is built on this adaptability—we don’t have to rely on one playbook because Justin can adjust on the fly.” As the Chargers head into the final stretch of the season, Herbert’s role will only grow in importance, as the team looks to him to lead them to their first AFC West title since 2009. Justin Herbert's Role in the Los Angeles Chargers' Strategy is more than just a position—it’s a commitment to excellence, a dedication to his teammates, and a promise to Raider Nation that the Chargers will compete at the highest level.