Justin Herbert Owns Chargers’ Wild Card Exit-But Is Accountability Enough?
Justin Herbert stood at the podium after the Chargers' season came to a crashing halt in the Wild Card round and did something not every quarterback in his position would’ve done-he took the blame. No excuses, no finger-pointing.
Just accountability. In a league where postgame pressers can sometimes feel like a deflection contest, Herbert’s willingness to shoulder the loss speaks volumes about his leadership.
But here’s the question that lingers: Is that leadership translating into wins when it matters most?
Let’s be clear-Herbert’s season was nothing short of gritty. He played through a broken left hand, took his fair share of punishing hits behind a battered offensive line, and still managed to keep the Chargers in the playoff hunt.
But when Wild Card Sunday rolled around, the offense stalled. Three points.
That’s all they could muster. And for a quarterback with Herbert’s arm talent and football IQ, that’s going to draw scrutiny-fair or not.
To his credit, Herbert didn’t shy away from it. “I made no plays,” he said after the loss.
It was a blunt self-assessment, and it echoed the frustration of a fanbase that’s grown tired of postseason letdowns. The Patriots defense is no joke-they’ve been one of the stingiest units in football-but the expectation is that a quarterback of Herbert’s caliber finds a way to put more than a field goal on the board.
Especially in January.
The regular season showed flashes of what this Chargers team could be. Remember the opener against Kansas City?
Herbert lit up the Chiefs in a statement win that had analysts like Damien Woody saying the Chargers had finally “let the Ferrari loose.” But that Ferrari never made it to the finish line.
Instead, the season ended in a wreck-one that left fans wondering how a team with so much firepower could flame out so fast.
Part of the issue? The supporting cast didn’t always show up.
Ladd McConkey, who looked like a breakout star as a rookie, took a step back this year. If he can’t bounce back, the Chargers are going to need more consistent production from their receivers.
And that offensive line-ranked among the league’s worst-has to get healthier and more cohesive. Herbert can make magic, but even the best quarterbacks need time and weapons.
There’s no questioning Herbert’s raw ability. The eye test tells you everything you need to know-elite arm strength, poise, and the kind of athleticism that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.
But the NFL isn’t about potential. It’s about results.
And right now, the results haven’t matched the hype. He’s had multiple shots at playoff glory, and the narrative is starting to shift.
The grace period is over.
That said, taking ownership the way Herbert did matters. It sets a tone in the locker room.
It shows accountability, maturity, and the kind of leadership that can galvanize a team. But it also puts the spotlight squarely on him heading into next season.
No more “he’ll get there eventually.” The time is now.
With a healthy line, a bounce-back year from McConkey-or some new blood on the perimeter-and a full offseason to regroup, Herbert has the tools to put together an MVP-caliber campaign. But until that happens, the questions will keep coming.
Can he win in January? Can he carry the Chargers deep into the postseason?
Can he silence the critics once and for all?
He’s got the talent. He’s got the leadership.
Now he just needs the wins. The clock’s ticking.