Justin Herbert’s 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster - flashes of brilliance mixed with frustrating inconsistency - but through it all, the Chargers quarterback stayed locked in on one goal: getting his team to the postseason. And he did just that, helping Los Angeles finish second in the AFC West behind the top-seeded Denver Broncos.
But the playoff run was short-lived. The Chargers bowed out in the Wild Card round, falling to the New England Patriots in a game where Herbert struggled to find his rhythm.
Now, the Chargers are back at the drawing board offensively, searching for a new offensive coordinator who can help elevate Herbert - and the unit around him - to the next level. Because while Herbert’s talent is undeniable, the pieces around him haven’t always made life easy.
Still, Herbert’s individual efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Even with the early playoff exit and a season that didn’t quite meet expectations, he managed to snag a first-place MVP vote - a surprise to many, considering the final tally.
The 2025 NFL MVP race was tight at the top. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford took home the award with 366 points and 24 first-place votes, narrowly edging out Patriots rookie Drake Maye, who finished with 361 points.
Josh Allen, Christian McCaffrey, and Trevor Lawrence rounded out the top five. But there was one lone first-place vote that didn’t go to any of those names - it went to Herbert.
That vote came from former PFF analyst Sam Monson, who took to social media to explain his reasoning. According to Monson, Herbert’s value wasn’t just in the numbers - it was in what he overcame.
“I was the Justin Herbert vote,” Monson posted on X. “The guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game.
Stafford’s OL became 2/5ths as bad as Herbert’s for 5 minutes and he became a turnover howitzer. He embodied ‘value.’”
It’s a bold take, but not an unfounded one. Herbert’s 2025 stat line included 3,723 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions - solid numbers, especially when you factor in the constant pressure he faced behind a line that struggled to protect him. He also added 498 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, showing once again that he’s more than capable of making plays with his legs when the pocket collapses.
Of course, the MVP conversation is always layered. Stafford led the Rams with poise and production, and Maye’s breakout rookie season was nothing short of electric.
But Monson’s vote for Herbert shines a light on a different kind of value - the kind that doesn’t always show up in the box score. The kind that comes from keeping your team competitive when everything around you is breaking down.
Now, as the Chargers shift into offseason mode, Herbert’s focus turns to growth - both his own and that of the offense around him. The search for a new coordinator could be pivotal. Because if the front office can finally give Herbert the protection and play-calling he deserves, that MVP-level talent might not be a one-vote story next time around.