Justin Herbert has become the subject of relentless admiration and debate across the league. Some fans refer to the phenomenon as "glazing," while NFL insiders might label it "Jim Harbaughing" – a nod to the head coach who has never stopped championing his quarterback. Regardless of the terminology, the outpouring of praise for Herbert has turned him into a focal point of discussion, positioning him as one of the most talented yet polarizing figures in modern football. Last weekend, Herbert strutted onto the field at SoFi Stadium with the confidence of a player who believes he is the best on the gridiron.
By the end of the game, however, he found himself outmatched by veteran Jacoby Brissett, a quarterback who has earned a reputation as a reliable bridge player for struggling teams. Brissett, supported by a resilient Arizona Cardinals defense, guided his side to a 26‑14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the opening week of the season.
The win kept the Cardinals alive in the early playoff conversation, though it remains to be seen whether they can sustain that momentum throughout the year. The Chargers' performance was, in many ways, a textbook example of the disconnect that has plagued the franchise for several seasons. Despite possessing a roster filled with high‑caliber talent, the team delivered a disjointed display riddled with mistakes, penalties, and missed opportunities. This pattern of under‑achievement has become almost a hallmark of the Chargers, and it resurfaced in a game that should have showcased Herbert’s abilities.
If you were to hand an average person a highlight reel of NFL starting quarterbacks and ask them to pick the most intimidating, the most dangerous, many would likely point to Herbert. He embodies the ideal quarterback prototype: a cannon‑arm capable of delivering pinpoint deep passes, a mobile threat who can extend plays with his legs, and a frame that commands the pocket. Yet those very attributes also fuel the frustration that surrounds his career. When he is at his best, he is a nightmare for any defense, delivering performances that belong in the league’s most memorable highlight reels.
When he falters, critics quickly question his killer instinct and his place among the elite. In the loss to Arizona, Herbert completed 17 of 27 attempts for 209 yards, recorded one touchdown, and threw an ill‑timed interception while attempting to drive the ball downfield in double coverage with ten minutes left on the clock.
The early part of the game had been promising; Herbert orchestrated an eight‑play, 77‑yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey, who later left the game with a chest injury. McConkey’s absence was felt immediately. Over the next five possessions, the Chargers punted, turned the ball over on downs multiple times, and failed to cross midfield on four fourth‑quarter drives.
The offense also accumulated six penalties, five of which came in the second half, compounding the frustration. Harbaugh’s recent proclamation that Herbert will be remembered as the greatest quarterback of all time adds another layer to the conversation. "When his career is over, we’ll look back and say, ‘That was the best quarterback ever,’" the coach declared, echoing the confidence of a Babe Ruth‑style prediction. Since taking over the Chargers in 2024, Harbaugh has been Herbert’s most vocal advocate, repeatedly extolling his potential and building a narrative of impending greatness.
This relentless hype, while uplifting, also creates a pressure cooker environment where every misstep is magnified. It is worth remembering that it is only Week One. Early‑season setbacks are not uncommon; both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots stumbled in their opening games last year before advancing to the Super Bowl.
The Los Angeles Rams, another pre‑season favorite, were upset by the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, yet no one wrote them off. Football seasons are marathons, not sprints, and a rocky start does not necessarily dictate the final outcome.
A significant storyline for Herbert this season is the hiring of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel, who struggled in his final season as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, is widely believed to possess the schematics that could unlock Herbert’s “alien arm.” In Miami, McDaniel’s offense thrived on quick‑release passes, extensive pre‑snap motion, and a dynamic rushing attack that gave quarterback Tua Tagovailoa multiple options. For Herbert, this means stepping out of his comfort zone and adapting to a system that demands rapid decision‑making and a more diversified attack.
The quarterback‑coordinator partnership will need time to gel, and both men are under pressure to deliver results quickly. Unfortunately, the Chargers’ running game has yet to find its rhythm. Second‑year back Omarion Hampton managed a meager 43 yards on 12 carries, averaging just 1.5 yards per attempt, while the offensive line allowed three sacks.
The lack of a consistent ground threat is a regression from the previous two seasons under former coordinator Greg Roman, whose run‑heavy approach provided a measure of balance that the current roster seems to lack. Protection has also been a chronic issue for Herbert. He was sacked 54 times last season—the second‑most in the league—largely because the Chargers missed two‑time Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater for the entire year and lost Pro Bowl right tackle Joe Alt to injury for 11 games.
Entering the 2026 season, Herbert had endured 225 sacks and 615 hits, the highest total for any quarterback since his draft class entered the league in 2020. While both Slater and Alt returned for the season opener, interior line weaknesses persisted, leaving Herbert vulnerable to pressure. Statistically, Herbert’s resume is impressive. He has amassed 24,820 passing yards in his first six seasons, ranking second all‑time behind Peyton Manning.
He also holds the record for the most completions by a quarterback in their first six seasons, surpassing Manning’s mark. From 2020 to 2022, Herbert recorded three consecutive 4,000‑yard passing seasons, a feat that underscored his consistency and elite talent. Those numbers were bolstered by a receiving corps that included Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. As those players have moved on, new targets such as Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and tight end David Njoku have stepped into the spotlight, but the chemistry is still developing.
Despite the impressive statistics, Chargers fans are primarily concerned with one metric: playoff success. Herbert’s postseason record is a stark contrast to his regular‑season production. In three of his four playoff appearances, the Chargers have been eliminated in the Wild Card round. Notable failures include a blown 27‑0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 playoffs, a career‑low 43.8 percent completion rate with four interceptions against the Houston Texans in 2024, and a sack‑heavy performance against the New England Patriots last season where he threw for just 159 yards and no touchdowns.
The paradox of Herbert’s career—stellar individual numbers paired with a lack of postseason victories—makes his narrative both compelling and uncertain. The AFC remains a quarterback‑heavy conference, and the league’s narrative is eager for Herbert to break through the perceived glass ceiling. Yet, games like the recent loss to Arizona suggest that the Chargers still have significant pieces missing, whether in protection, running support, or situational execution.
Looking ahead, the seventh year of Herbert’s career will be crucial. If he can stay healthy, improve his decision‑making under pressure, and develop a more balanced offense, he could finally translate his prodigious talent into the kind of playoff success that defines greatness. Until then, the debate will continue: is Herbert the best quarterback ever, or is he the NFL’s greatest underachiever?
The answer will likely be written over the next several seasons, as the Chargers strive to turn potential into championship reality.