The Chargers trust Justin Herbert to solve nearly every offensive problem — but that reliance may be holding the team back. To take the next step, Los Angeles must find balance and stop asking its quarterback to carry the entire offense.
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, and that much is not up for debate. Justin Herbert has proven year after year that he can make throws very few quarterbacks even attempt, let alone complete. However, as the Chargers continue their push to become a legitimate Super Bowl contender under Jim Harbaugh, an uncomfortable question keeps surfacing: do the Chargers rely on Justin Herbert too much?
On the surface, the answer feels obvious. When things go wrong offensively, the solution almost always becomes “put the ball in Herbert’s hands and let him figure it out.” Third-and-long? Herbert. Late-game deficit? Herbert. Protection breaking down? Herbert improvises. While that trust speaks volumes about his ability, it also highlights a deeper roster and schematic issue that has followed the Chargers for years.
The most glaring problem is balance. For large stretches of Herbert’s career, the Chargers’ offense has been overly dependent on him to create explosive plays without consistent help from the running game. Even when the team has invested resources into the offensive line or the backfield, the results have often been inconsistent. Defenses know this. When the Chargers fall behind the chains, opponents are comfortable pinning their ears back and forcing Herbert to throw into tight windows under pressure.
This reliance becomes especially dangerous in big moments. Playoff football exposes predictability, and the Chargers’ offense has too often become predictable when it matters most. Asking Herbert to carry the offense for 60 minutes against elite defenses is not a sustainable formula, no matter how talented he is. Quarterbacks can elevate teams, but they shouldn’t be required to be flawless just to have a chance to win.
Another issue is the pressure this places on Herbert mentally and physically. He is expected to be perfect while dealing with constant pressure, frequent hits and the burden of knowing that one mistake can swing an entire game. Over time, that kind of responsibility can wear on even the best quarterbacks. It also shrinks the margin for error to an unrealistic level.
This doesn’t mean Herbert is blameless. Like any quarterback, there are moments where he could take the checkdown, throw the ball away or avoid forcing a play. But those moments are often born out of necessity rather than recklessness. When the offense lacks rhythm or support, the quarterback feels compelled to do more.
Under Jim Harbaugh, this is where the Chargers have an opportunity to evolve. A more consistent rushing attack, smarter situational play-calling and a commitment to staying ahead of the chains would go a long way in easing Herbert’s load. The goal should not be to limit Herbert, but to protect him — from defenses, from overexposure and from being the sole reason the offense functions.
The Chargers don’t rely on Justin Herbert because they want to. They rely on him because, for too long, they’ve had to. If this team is serious about winning in January, that dependency has to change. Herbert is at his best when he’s the engine — not the entire vehicle.