After an 0-3 start, it’s fair to start asking questions about Justin Herbert. The Chargers quarterback hasn’t been terrible, but the offense continues to struggle and Herbert needs to find a way to elevate his play before the season slips away.
After three games, it is fair to start asking whether it is time to worry about Justin Herbert.
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-3 after Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills and while the defense deserves a lot of credit for forcing five turnovers, the offense once again failed to do enough. Herbert finished the game 20-of-34 for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Those numbers aren’t terrible by themselves, but the bigger problem is the consistency. Through three games, Herbert has thrown for 627 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions while posting a 73.4 passer rating.
For a quarterback of Herbert’s caliber, that simply isn’t good enough.
The biggest concern isn’t necessarily that Herbert is playing poorly on every snap. There are still plenty of throws where he shows exactly why the Chargers invested so heavily in him. The problem is that the offense isn’t consistently moving the ball when it matters most.
Sunday was a perfect example.
The Chargers jumped out to a 10-0 lead after Buffalo’s first two turnovers. The defense continued giving the offense opportunities throughout the game, eventually forcing five turnovers from Josh Allen and the Bills. Yet the Chargers managed only two field goals over the final two quarters.
That can’t happen.
It would be unfair to put everything on Herbert. The Chargers have dealt with injuries, including losing tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to long term injuries. The offensive line has also been forced to adjust after Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending knee injury before the season.
On top of that, Herbert is learning a new offense under Mike McDaniel. There is going to be an adjustment period.
But at some point, the quarterback has to make the offense better.
That’s what makes the next few weeks so important. The Chargers can’t afford to keep waiting for everything to come together while piling up losses. They are already behind the eight-ball and in a 0-3 hole.
Herbert has earned the benefit of the doubt because of what he has accomplished throughout his career. He’s been one of the most talented quarterbacks in football and has put together some incredible seasons. This isn’t about suddenly deciding he can’t play.
It’s about recognizing that his current level of play isn’t good enough.
The Chargers need Herbert to be the player who can take over a game when his team needs him. Against Buffalo, he had opportunities to do that and the offense couldn’t capitalize.
There is still plenty of football left to play. One good game can change the conversation quickly.
But after three weeks, I think it’s completely fair to ask the question: Is it time to worry about Justin Herbert?
Right now, the answer isn’t that Herbert has lost his ability. It’s that the Chargers desperately need their franchise quarterback to start playing like one.
