Justin Herbert’s legs may become a bigger part of the Chargers’ offense in 2026, and that possibility starts with what he already showed last season. Herbert isn’t labeled a running quarterback, but he quietly gave Los Angeles a career-best 498 rushing yards while playing through injuries around him. When the pocket collapsed, he had enough mobility to turn broken plays into first downs and keep drives moving.
Now the question is whether that usage climbs again.
Mike McDaniel’s arrival as offensive coordinator points in that direction. His offenses are built on motion, misdirection and creating space, and he has a track record of using quarterback movement to stress defenses.
Rollouts, bootlegs and read-option looks could all be in play for the Chargers, which would force opponents to treat Herbert as more than just a passer standing in the pocket. The pairing has already sparked plenty of optimism heading into training camp.
Herbert’s own approach also matters. He has never shied away from running when the opening is there, but last season he seemed to trust that part of his game more consistently.
Whether he was escaping pressure behind an injury-riddled offensive line or converting a critical third-and-long, he repeatedly made plays with his feet. He still wasn’t running first - he was reacting to what defenses gave him - but he made them pay when space opened up.
A healthier offensive line could change the way those runs happen. With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt expected to be healthy, the Chargers should be in a much better spot up front than they were a year ago.
That might cut down on the scramble-for-your-life moments, but it could also let the staff be more deliberate about when Herbert runs. Instead of relying on improvisation, they can call designed keepers in spots where defenses aren’t expecting them.
The Chargers are heading into camp believing that a healthy line can be one of their biggest strengths.
Still, nobody is talking about turning Herbert into a volume runner. The offense still lives and dies with his right arm, and piling on unnecessary hits would be a bad trade. The goal is balance.
If Herbert goes from three to four rushing attempts per game to five or six, that’s a meaningful shift. Over a full season, that could mean 20 or 30 more carries, and those extra snaps might be enough to extend drives, punch in red-zone chances and make defenses work harder on every down.
Herbert has already proven he can win from the pocket. The next step could be making opponents account for every part of his game. He does not need to become Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but if the Chargers use his athleticism at the right moments, another career high in rushing attempts would not be a surprise.
In Other News...
Chargers Camp Battle Could Reshape A Position Fans Thought Was Set
Training camp is bringing a few moving parts for the Chargers offense, and one of the more interesting ones sits at tight end. With new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel expected to shape how Justin Herbert is used, the team is also sorting through a transition for rookie Jake Slaughter and a roster that still has a few unsettled spots on both sides of the ball. That kind of uncertainty can create opportunity, but it can also expose places where the depth chart looked firmer than it really was.
Oronde Gadsden enters the summer with a chance to hold onto the top tight end job, yet the job security is not as simple as it once seemed. Analysts have pointed to his blocking as the area that still needs the most work, and the Chargers now have a veteran option whose profile gives the staff a different kind of balance to consider. For a team trying to get the offense aligned around Herbert, the tight end room has become one of those camp battles worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Camp Is Already Putting Harbaugh Roster Favorites In Danger
Training camp has barely gotten going, and Jim Harbaugh is already forcing some uncomfortable decisions across the Chargers roster. The linebacker room is crowded with established names and younger pieces trying to carve out space, while the backfield has its own sorting-out process behind expected lead back Omarion Hampton. For a team trying to build a tougher identity, that kind of competition is exactly the point, even if it means some familiar faces are suddenly fighting for their jobs.
The ripple effects are showing up on both sides of the ball, with veterans and recent additions alike being judged against Harbaughs preferred depth chart. Young defenders such as Akheem Mesidor and Tuli Tuipulotu are in the mix for bigger roles, and the running back evaluation is still open enough to keep several names in play. In a camp like this, the real intrigue is not just who looks good in July, but which roster favorites can survive the first round of cuts. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Still Have One Huge Justin Herbert Problem To Solve
Joe Hortiz made it clear the Chargers are still looking at Justin Herberts protection with a sharp eye, even after the early wave of roster work. The general manager said the offensive line is not finished being reshaped, and the emphasis appears to be on the interior, where guard play has been a point of concern while the tackles remain a strength.
For a team built around Herbert, that leaves an important offseason question hanging over the depth chart. Los Angeles has options to keep improving the group through free agency, the draft, or other roster moves, and the front office seems intent on keeping those doors open until it finds the right fit. [Read more 🡒]