NFL Coach Delivers Criticism of Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Earlier this week, ESPN released its annual list of top 10 NFL quarterbacks. And for the second consecutive year, Los Angeles Chargers signal caller Justin Herbert ranked No. 7 on the list.

Only six players ranked higher than Herbert on ESPN’s rankings: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott.

Herbert delivered impressive numbers in each of his six seasons since joining the Chargers as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Last year, he completed 66.4% of his pass attempts for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

However, the 28-year-old quarterback has yet to lead the Chargers to a single postseason victory - notching an 0-3 record in the playoffs.

“He plays young,” an anonymous NFL coordinator told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “He’s incredibly talented and has made progress, but he doesn’t have the maturity level of the other guys as far as how he runs the overall operation and mastery of the position.”

ESPN’s survey also yielded some more positive evaluations of Herbert.

“If you’re picking quarterbacks to build around, you’re still taking him pretty high,” an NFL personnel exec said.

“There’s a reason the Chargers OC job was the best one available - because of the quarterback,” an NFC scout added. “[Mike] McDaniel should be able to streamline some things for [Herbert], manufacture some layup first downs for him.”

Herbert and the Chargers will begin their 2026 regular-season campaign with a Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13.

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This story was originally published July 15, 2026 at 11:58 AM.