Why Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh's running game may actually improve Justin Herbert's stats in 2024
The 2024 offseason has been a whirlwind for Los Angeles Chargers fans. A constant? Justin Herbert at quarterback. The smooth-sailing talent seems eager to prove himself under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. How will the change in scheme affect Herbert's production? Chargers QB Justin Herbert may be more efficient with improved running game Eric Edholm […]
The 2024 offseason has been a whirlwind for Los Angeles Chargers fans. A constant? Justin Herbert at quarterback.
The smooth-sailing talent seems eager to prove himself under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. How will the change in scheme affect Herbert's production?
Chargers QB Justin Herbert may be more efficient with improved running game
Eric Edholm of NFL.com listed Herbert as his prediction for the team's MVP in 2024.
While that may come as no surprise, the transition that the QB will have to make certainly does raise questions about his productivity and statistics for the upcoming season.
Will an increase in running the ball help or hurt the Chargers quarterback? I would lean towards the prior, actually. Edholm seems to believe that, too.
It's absolutely fair to point out that Jim Harbaugh should bring a firm, unwavering commitment to the run game to the Chargers. It's been a hallmark of Harbaugh's teams nearly everywhere he's coached. Still, running the ball more frequently doesn't necessarily portend a dip in Herbert's play. If anything, it could make him a more efficient quarterback.
True, Herbert might have posted his beefiest passing numbers in his second and third seasons, when the Chargers ranked 22nd and 28th in rushing attempts, respectively, in the league. But go back and look at Herbert's rookie campaign, when the Bolts ranked ninth in rushes, and you can see he threw for 4,336 yards and 31 TDs (with only 10 INTs) on fewer than 600 passes. Even with L.A. fielding a lesser receiving corps this season, I could see Herbert producing at a similar level in 2024.
Over the past two years, some counting stats have wowed for Herbert. The games with 400 passing yards (some of which in a loss) or matchups where he threw the ball nearly fifty times.
Those occurrences may be limited with Harbaugh running the show, but we may see an uptick in completion percentage and a decrease in sacks due to a more reliable rushing attack in Los Angeles. Only time will tell, but I believe that a ground and pound offense will get Herbert a bit more comfortable as the QB for the Chargers going forward.
His rookie year is a perfect example, and we can all agree that he is a better player than that at this point of his pro career.
National media outlet gives Chargers veteran some new motivation
He will be prepared.
