Many quarterbacks have historically had eye-popping statistics in their seventh seasons. Will Justin Herbert be the next in line?
Justin Herbert is going into year seven in the NFL on a record-breaking career pace. Unfortunately, he doesn't have any playoff wins or notable team success playing behind Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West. Could this be the year he has his biggest breakthrough yet? One thing that bodes well for him is how other notable quarterbacks have had spectacular year sevens.
MVPs in year 7
Two of the greatest modern quarterback performances were by Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers in their year seven campaigns. Manning set the then record by throwing for 49 touchdowns and 12 wins in a 16-game season. Rodgers threw for 45 touchdowns, was 15-1, and shattered the passer rating record by compiling one of 122.5.
Spectacular statistics
In year seven for him (1989), Dan Marino posted a passer rating of 112.4 on the way to a playoff berth. In 2024, Lamar Jackson totalled over 5000 combined passing yards and rushing yards and 45 total touchdowns as he made first-team All-Pro. Drew Brees also eclipsed 5000 yards through the air in his year-seven season as he set the record for passing yards in a season.
Why Herbert can make a year-seven leap
With the cap space to make a run at notable free agents, along with a hopefully injury-free offensive line, the Chargers' offense should be seriously retooled. Hopefully, the front office will get him an extra playmaker or two on the perimeter. He'll certainly have more time to throw, having been under siege all of last season. Running for his life to the extent that he led the league in scramble yards.
Wins to go with the stats
While a lot of players on the list made a splash in year seven. Team Super Bowl success came at different times for Manning, Brees, and Rodgers. Jackson hasn't won as of yet, and Marino finished his illustrious career without a championship. The balance the Chargers have achieved, being highly ranked on offense and defense under Jim Harbaugh, could make Herbert the outlier in terms of a Super Bowl in year seven. When Manning, for example, was dominating in the 2000s, he didn't always have a stout defense to back him up. He was also competing with Tom Brady in his prime. Herbert's nemesis is Mahomes who he typically faces twice a year. The only exception might be next year if the Chiefs quarterback isn't back from his knee injuries in time.
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