Former Los Angeles Chargers QB Chase Daniel breaks down Jim Harbaugh's unique impact on Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers caught their big fish early in the offseason. They reeled in head coach Jim Harbaugh, stealing him from the University of Michigan after a national title run. He returns to the NFL, where he has been to the Super Bowl before and knows the league well. He's got a star quarterback […]
The Los Angeles Chargers caught their big fish early in the offseason. They reeled in head coach Jim Harbaugh, stealing him from the University of Michigan after a national title run.
He returns to the NFL, where he has been to the Super Bowl before and knows the league well. He's got a star quarterback with plenty to prove and a defense hungry to show that they are better than they've shown with a disappointing head coach in recent years.
One of Justin Herbert's former teammates has some strong thoughts on the QB and the overall offense under their new HC.
Chase Daniel gives update on Justin Herbert under Jim Harbaugh
Daniel relays a confident and calm nature from Herbert when he's talked to him recently.
The former Chargers backup thinks that Herbert is more relaxed now, and that does make plenty of sense. Harbaugh's presence as an experienced head coach at multiple levels has probably taken some of the stress off of the star quarterback. His staff has major NFL experience and success, too.
He [Herbert] doesn't talk a lot, but I guess he likes me because he decided to come on… He just seems a lot more relaxed, a lot more comfortable. Maybe it's that $250 million deal that he got – where he's like – I am the franchise.
He feels good about it, but I do think it's a welcome change to have Coach Harbaugh in his room, and he was really excited about the opportunity to work with Greg Roman. Specifically, everyone knows Greg Roman from those running days with Colin, Kaepernick, Lamar Jackson. I do think that they are going to pound the football on the ground. — Chase Daniel
Daniel also has a ton of confidence in rookie Ladd McConkey
"I do think that Ladd McConkey is going to end up being the number one receiver. You lose Keenan Allen, you lose Mike Williams… I think there's a world where Ladd McConkey has over 100 catches as a rookie in the slot – I really do – and Justin really likes Ladd from that perspective.
I do think you're going to see him opening up the playbook. You're going to see him launching balls down the field using that arm strength heavy play action." — Chase Daniel
That projection would put McConkey in the rookie of the year race around the NFL. The opportunity is definitely there for the young pass catcher, though.
Quentin Johnston was disappointing in 2023 as a rookie, and Joshua Palmer is not a top-flight wideout at the NFL level. The targets will almost assuredly mount for the rookie receiver, and the scheme makes plenty of sense for his game.
Chase Daniel has a lot of confidence in Herbert under Harbaugh. He expects growth.
Chargers second-round draft pick makes NFL history with impressive contract
Legendary numbers.
