# Justin Herbert NFL player. Position: **QB**. Team: **LAC**. ## Quick Facts - **Position:** QB - **Team:** LAC (Los Angeles Chargers) - **Bye week (2026):** 7 - **FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21):** 67 ## 2026 Outlook Herbert gets a potential lifeline with the addition of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel's track record as a play-caller should help Herbert, the most talented QB he's worked with, finally get the run game functional and set up easy passing opportunities. Concerns remain about the Chargers' interior O-line depth (per NFL 2026 Offseason Power Rankings: The Rams Jump the Seahawks). Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes Herbert could make a run at MVP in 2026 under McDaniel, predicting the Chargers offense will average 25 PPG (up from 20.6 last year)—positioning Herbert well for statistical breakout (per Senior NFL Writer Makes Bold Claim About Chargers' Mike McDaniel). McDaniel's outside-zone running scheme and emphasis on spacing concepts in the passing game directly suit Herbert's skill set. Unlike Harbaugh's possession-based approach, McDaniel orchestrates explosive plays through route spacing and yards-after-catch creation (evident in his Dolphins tenure, when Miami generated explosive plays despite limited receiver talent). With new targets like speedster Brenen Thompson (4th round) and Swiss-Army-knife RB Keaton Mitchell added for versatility, Herbert has the complementary pieces to execute McDaniel's system effectively (per Chargers' Mike McDaniel move has NFL execs buzzing about Justin Herbert). NFL executives specifically praised the hire as "a great offense for Herbert," suggesting the coaching change could be the catalyst his career has needed. **May 27 update:** Chargers' "dream scenario" for 2026 centers on Herbert finally getting both star tackles (Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater) healthy for a full season. Both missed significant time in 2025, with Slater out entirely and Alt appearing in just 6 games. Interior line reinforcements with Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, and Jake Slaughter (2nd round) aim to prevent 2025's interior collapse. If both tackles return and scheme works, Chargers could contend for AFC West for first time since 2009 (per Chargers fans will be hoping this dream 2026 season scenario plays out and Jim Harbaugh gives Chargers hope for 2026). **May 28 update:** Herbert faces three daunting road tests in 2026: Week 4 at defending champion Seattle (after cross-country travel from Buffalo), Week 10 at Baltimore (Jesse Minter revenge game—the coach practiced against Herbert for two years and understands his tendencies), and Week 18 at Denver (potential AFC West decider with playoff implications). These matchups pit Herbert against elite defenses, though McDaniel's offensive scheme should generate easier reads and run-game support (per 3 toughest road games on the Chargers' 2026 schedule). **June 1 update:** McDaniel is deploying a heavy 13-personnel scheme (3 TEs on field) similar to Sean McVay's Rams approach, which ran it 30.5% of the time in 2025. The Chargers' tight end trio—David Njoku, Oronde Gadsden II, and Charlie Kolar—should create a schematic nightmare for opposing defenses. In the red zone, where the Rams used 13-personnel 36.76% of the time (vs. league avg of 6.72%), this grouping could unlock the Chargers' struggling red-zone efficiency (per Observations from Chargers OTAs: Mike McDaniel May be Borrowing from Sean McVay, Rams). **June 8 update – Defensive stability:** The Chargers' defense under coordinator Chris O'Leary projects as a top-10 unit in 2026, providing Herbert with a strong safety net of field position. A zone-heavy scheme that limited opponent yards, pass defense, run defense, and points-allowed across all categories in 2025 should keep games close. Key defensive moves—adding first-round DL Akheem Mesidor, defensive stalwarts Teair Tart, and edge rusher trio Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipiulotu, and Odafe Oweh—give Los Angeles balance on both lines. With a complete defensive unit and no major holes, the Chargers can credibly compete as Super Bowl contenders if Herbert executes McDaniel's system, reducing pressure for heroic offensive performance on every drive (per Chargers' greatest defensive strength could clear their path to Super Bowl contention). **All-Pro candidate in 2026:** PFF projects Herbert as a first-time All-Pro candidate. Despite playing behind the league's lowest-graded offensive line in 2025 with a WR corps ranked 20th in PFF receiving grade, Herbert ranked 10th in overall PFF grade (78.0) among qualified QBs and posted a 2.6% turnover-worthy play rate (5th-lowest). His 90.6 PFF passing grade since 2021 is fourth-best among all QBs, making his lack of All-Pro selection surprising. With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both returning healthy and Mike McDaniel's system in place, the circumstances are "diametrically different" in 2026, and "the cards may finally fall into place" for an All-Pro season. (per 10 NFL players who could become first-time All-Pros in 2026) **June 16 update – Minicamp footwork changes:** McDaniel is already showing measurable mechanical improvements with Herbert. He's shifted his shotgun stance from right foot ahead to left foot slightly in front—a subtle but fundamental change that facilitates quicker releases. McDaniel targets under-2.4-second delivery windows (where Herbert has been effective historically), and the pair have achieved "better mesh than expected" over just a few months. Minicamp will provide the first real-game test of how far Herbert's mechanics have evolved under McDaniel's guidance, setting up a strong 2026 if foundation improvements hold (per 2026 Chargers minicamp: Herbert's progress, contract intel). **June 17 minicamp – Harbaugh's public endorsement:** Coach Jim Harbaugh offered his most enthusiastic public assessment yet, comparing Herbert intellectually to Mike McDaniel and saying both operate "at a different level" from himself. Harbaugh stated the more they work together (eight weeks as of mid-June), the better the partnership becomes, explicitly saying "we're in good shape" with Herbert running the offense. During the first minicamp practice, Herbert threw but was held out of team periods (7-on-7), a conservative approach suggesting Chargers are managing his workload carefully. This confidence from Harbaugh—having worked with Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Andrew Luck—carries weight as Herbert's biggest public advocate at the organizational level (per Oregon Quarterbacks Surprise At NFL Minicamp With Injury, Coach Updates). **June 18 minicamp progress – Mechanical refinement visible:** McDaniel is engineering specific footwork changes with immediate impact. Herbert's shifted his shotgun stance from right foot ahead to left foot slightly in front—a fundamental adjustment that facilitates quicker releases and cleaner mechanics. McDaniel's target of under-2.4-second delivery windows aligns with Herbert's historical effectiveness. After just a few months working together, both describe their "mesh" as "better than expected," signaling the coaching pairing is accelerating faster than typical offseason transitions. Minicamp will show whether these mechanics hold in competitive 7-on-7 and team drills (per 2026 Chargers minicamp: Herbert's progress, contract intel). **June 18 offseason update – Intentional footwork rebuild:** McDaniel is taking extreme measures to retrain Herbert's mechanics, temporarily removing him from throwing drills during parts of the offseason program. The approach mirrors what Tom Brady adopted in 2007 (50-TD season) and Brett Favre used throughout his HOF career: leading with the non-dominant left foot rather than the right-handed passer's natural right-foot-forward setup. McDaniel has studied this technique since his time with Kyle Shanahan in Houston (2007), noting potential advantages for timing and release. The bold step of benching Herbert from throwing to focus purely on footwork signals organizational conviction that mechanical improvements are the prerequisite to offensive explosion in 2026 (per 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Chargers Adjusting QB Justin Herbert's Footwork) **AFC West case for Chargers (June 22):** The division outlook frames Herbert's situation as a pivotal fork. McDaniel's quick-passing attack should reduce hits Herbert absorbed under Harbaugh's possession-based system, but he'll need to adjust to the scheme's demands. The offensive line improvements (Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, Jake Slaughter at 2nd round) and Keaton Mitchell's addition for scheme fit are "strokes of genius" if both star tackles (Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater) return healthy—unresolved at this point. The case against: Unknown variables on whether Slater and Alt return at full health, how quickly Herbert adapts to McDaniel's scheme, and whether defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary can maintain last year's top-5 unit without departing coordinator Jesse Minter. Chargers have "no glaring roster hole" but must prove coordinator changes overcome past underperformance (consecutive AFC West runner-up finishes, quick playoff exits). (per AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win division). ## Recent News - 2026-07-07 — Chargers 2026 Training Camp Preview: How Justin Herbert Can Thrive Under Mike McDaniel (Chargers 2026 Training Camp Preview: How Justin Herbert Can Thrive Under Mike McDaniel) - 2026-06-03 — How Chargers' Justin Herbert is adapting to Mike McDaniel's system (How Chargers' Justin Herbert is adapting to Mike McDaniel's system) - 2026-06-25 — Will Mike McDaniel Be a Bigger Help to Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert, or Vice Versa? (Will Mike McDaniel Be a Bigger Help to Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert, or Vice Versa?) - 2026-06-27 — Chargers Have Full Circle Moment as Justin Herbert Follows in Tom Brady's Footsteps (Chargers Have Full Circle Moment as Justin Herbert Follows in Tom Brady's Footsteps) - 2026-06-17 — Explaining Justin Herbert’s footwork changes under new Chargers coordinator Mike... (Explaining Justin Herbert’s footwork changes under new Chargers coordinator Mike...) - 2026-06-11 — Chargers 2026 offseason: Five things we've learned in OTAs (Chargers 2026 offseason: Five things we've learned in OTAs) - 2026-06-23 — Bucs 2026 Opponent Preview: Los Angeles Chargers, Week 13 (Bucs 2026 Opponent Preview: Los Angeles Chargers, Week 13) - 2026-06-26 — Offseason moves still can't save Chargers from being frustratingly underrated (Offseason moves still can't save Chargers from being frustratingly underrated) - 2026-06-20 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Titans Sign Jeffery Simmons To Record Deal (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Titans Sign Jeffery Simmons To Record Deal) - 2026-02-25 — Predicting all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks for 2026 season (Predicting all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks for 2026 season) ## Open Questions _(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)_ --- Source: https://chatffb.com/players/justin-herbert · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.