Chargers QB Justin Herbert Needs to Trust His Instincts

Justin Herbert is playing the worst football of his NFL career, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to watch. The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-5, the offense has struggled to find any consistency and Herbert continues to make mistakes that we simply are not used to seeing from him. While there are plenty of issues surrounding this team, Herbert needs to start trusting his instincts and getting back to what made him one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.

One of the biggest problems with Herbert’s recent interceptions is that he appears to be anticipating where a receiver is supposed to be rather than reacting to what he actually sees. Anticipation is an important part of playing quarterback, especially in Mike McDaniel’s offense, which emphasizes getting the ball out quickly and throwing before receivers make their breaks. However, there is a difference between anticipating a route and forcing a throw when the defense is telling you something completely different.

Herbert has made a career out of using his arm talent, reading defenses and making throws that very few quarterbacks can make. Right now, it seems like he is overthinking things and trying to force McDaniel’s offense to work instead of allowing the game to come naturally to him.

The interception against Denver was another example of how costly these mistakes have become. With the Chargers trying to protect a late lead, Herbert threw a pass that was intercepted by Brandon Jones. Instead of giving his team a chance to extend the lead and put the game away, he handed Denver an opportunity to complete its comeback. The Chargers eventually lost 23-17, dropping to 0-5 in the process.

There is no denying that Herbert deserves some of the blame for this team’s struggles. At the same time, it is important to recognize the circumstances around him. The offensive line has struggled to protect him, his receivers have had trouble creating separation and the offense as a whole has yet to adjust to McDaniel’s system. Herbert is constantly under pressure and appears to be pressing because he knows the team needs something to change.

That does not excuse the turnovers, but it does help explain why he might be trying to do too much.

The answer is not necessarily to abandon McDaniel’s offense or start questioning whether Herbert can still be a franchise quarterback. Instead, the Chargers need to find a way to simplify things and allow their quarterback to play with confidence again. If a receiver is not where Herbert expects him to be, he needs to trust his eyes, move through his progressions and be willing to throw the ball away rather than force something that is not there.

Herbert also needs to remember that he does not have to make a spectacular play on every possession. Sometimes the best decision is to take the underneath completion, scramble for a few yards or live to fight another down. The Chargers have enough options to move the ball without Herbert needing to play hero every time he drops back.

The season is already in serious trouble, but the next several weeks can still be valuable for Herbert and McDaniel as they try to build chemistry. The last thing this franchise needs is for its quarterback to lose confidence in himself while trying to learn yet another offensive system.

Herbert has shown throughout his career that he can be an elite quarterback. Five bad games do not erase that ability, but he needs to stop playing like someone who is trying to prove he belongs in the NFL. Trust his eyes, trust his arm and trust the instincts that got him here in the first place. The Chargers need their old Justin Herbert back, and that starts with him believing in himself again.