Justin Herbert’s peers just gave him a strong endorsement, and the Chargers quarterback has plenty of reasons to feel good about where he stands entering 2026.
Herbert checked in at No. 39 on the NFL Top 100 players list after a 2025 season that put him firmly in the top half of the rankings. For a quarterback in his position, that kind of recognition says plenty about how the league views him.
The praise wasn’t subtle, either. NFL linebacker Eric Kendricks put Herbert in rare company, saying, "Since I've been in the league, I feel like Justin Herbert is probably like a top-five athlete that I've ever seen," Kendricks said.
Herbert’s production matched the respect. In 2025, he threw for 3,727 yards with 26 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 66.4 percent of his passes.
He also added 498 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. That kind of dual-threat output helped keep Los Angeles moving and played a major role in the Chargers finishing 11-6 and earning a playoff berth.
The numbers were impressive, but they came in difficult conditions. Herbert spent much of the year operating behind an offensive line that was hit hard by injuries and inconsistency. The biggest blows came at tackle, where Rashawn Slater missed the entire season and Joe Alt appeared in a few games but couldn’t stay healthy throughout the year.
That helps explain why Herbert had a tougher time against elite defenses and pass rushes. Even so, the outlook for 2026 looks a lot better on paper. Both Slater and Alt are expected back healthy, which should give Herbert a cleaner pocket and a better foundation.
The Chargers are also set to bring in a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel, one of the league’s more inventive play callers. That change could be a major boost for an offense that already has a deep group of skill players.
Los Angeles has no shortage of options. The backfield includes Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal, and Keaton Mitchell.
At receiver, the Chargers can turn to Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, and rookie Brenen Thompson. Tight end gives them even more versatility with Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku.
The line should look different, too. Along with the returns of Alt and Slater, the Chargers added center Tyler Biadasz and guards Cole Strange, Jake Slaughter, and Kayode Awosika, while Trevor Penning is among the players competing for the starting guard spots.
With better protection, a loaded set of weapons, McDaniel calling the plays, and Jim Harbaugh on the sideline, Herbert has the kind of setup that could push him into the MVP conversation in 2026. If that happens, Los Angeles could be staring at a serious playoff run.
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Jim Harbaugh Just Raised The Stakes In Chargers Left Guard Battle
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The timing matters because the Chargers are trying to settle roles before the season gets too far along, and Harbaugh made clear there is still a process to follow before anything is finalized. With the rest of the AFC West also dealing with its own roster business, from Denvers cap maneuvering to updates elsewhere in the division, this is one of those camp decisions that could end up carrying real weight once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]