The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the biggest surprises and disappointments this NFL season. They've opened with five straight losses, turning what was expected to be another playoff contender into a potential lottery team. After back-to-back 11-6 seasons and two straight postseason appearances under head coach Jim Harbaugh, this isn't what anybody expected.
The most frustrating part is that the Chargers have had opportunities to win multiple games, but have routinely struggled to close out. They led late against Denver in Week 5 before giving up their lead and losing 23-17, and saw the same thing happen two weeks prior when they lost 24-16 in Buffalo. Through it all, Justin Herbert has looked like a shell of himself, completing just 59.4% of his passes for 937 yards and five touchdowns with seven interceptions, posting a passer rating of just 70.2, one of the lowest marks in the NFL.
Speaking on Sunday morning, former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan offered a harsh assessment of Herbert's struggles. "Justin Herbert, when he came out, I said he was a generational talent," Ryan said. "He's big, strong, fast, smart, athletic, tough.
When I saw him in college, I was like, This is a can't-miss [guy] without question.' When he was a rookie, he played his absolute tail off. I mean, the best rookie performance I had seen. I'm like, 'Oh my god, they're going to win so many championships.' "He's gone downhill," Ryan added.
"This doesn't even look like the same guy. To me, let's go back to doing what he does. Go back to being a Jim Harbaugh football team, where we can recognize him, please." More news: Eagles Make Major Decision on Jalen Hurts’ Season Before Facing Panthers Herbert burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2020, throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing 66.6% of his passes and earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
He followed that up with an even better 2021 season, throwing for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns, completing 65.9% of his throws and earning his first Pro Bowl nod. The problem is his numbers have been steadily declining since. Herbert threw just 23 touchdowns across 17 games in 2024, but his three interceptions made it justifiable.
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