Justin Herbert is facing intense scrutiny after poor playoff performances. The 28-year-old quarterback has played 95 regular-season games, throwing for 24,820 yards and posting 163 touchdowns.
What happened?
Mark Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion, warned that Herbert is one bad season away from becoming the NFL's biggest target. Schlereth stated that Herbert's playoff performances have been terrible, with the Chargers blowing a 27-0 lead to the Jaguars in the 2022 season.
Why it matters for Justin Herbert
Herbert's postseason performance has been a key metric that raises questions about his ability. In the 2024 season, the Chargers lost to the Houston Texans 12-31, with Herbert recording a career-high 4 interceptions and completing just 43.8% of his passes.
What comes next?
The Chargers have a new head coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a newly hired offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, which may impact their performance in the 2026 season. Herbert will be under pressure to perform and win playoff games, with Schlereth believing that if he does not make a turnaround this season, the scrutiny against him will only increase.
The Chargers' offense failed to find the end zone in their last season's playoff game against the New England Patriots, with Herbert being sacked 6 times. As a leader, Herbert is accountable for the team's performance, and he has already faced criticism over the years.
Herbert's regular-season statistics are impressive, with a record of 52-43 and 24,820 yards. However, his playoff performances have been disappointing, with no wins in his six-season career in the NFL.
The 2026 season will be crucial for Herbert, with the new coaching staff and the pressure to perform. If he does not deliver, he may become the NFL's biggest target, with Schlereth warning that talent alone does not buy unlimited patience in the NFL.
The Chargers' fans will be watching Herbert's performance closely, hoping that he can turn things around and lead the team to success in the playoffs. With the new season approaching, Herbert will be under the spotlight, and his performance will be scrutinized by fans and critics alike.