Jim Harbaugh Unique: ‘No one Has Extra Expertise’ Than Justin Herbert

Jim Harbaugh Unique: ‘No one Has Extra Expertise’ Than Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh can be evaluating all positions on the NFL Mix aside from one — quarterback.

The Chargers have already got their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, who’s coming off of probably the most environment friendly season of his profession. Herbert threw simply three interceptions for a 0.6% interception price in 2024 — the bottom price within the NFL. Harbaugh is clearly excessive on his 26-year-old quarterback, calling him one of many “finest” passers within the recreation and the most effective quarterbacks ever.

 ”All of the positions are beneficial,” says Harbaugh in an unique interview with Sports activities Lens when requested what positions they’re seeking to improve at. “One I do know we don’t want is quarterback. That’s one I can just about inform you the place we wouldn’t be. You speak about being blessed, being lucky, we’ve got the most effective quarterbacks within the NFL. We have now the most effective quarterbacks within the historical past of the sport.”

Whereas Herbert clearly has an extended method to go earlier than he will be thought-about the most effective quarterbacks ever, Harbaugh is making some extent that his quarterback is likely one of the most gifted ever and has the potential to finish his profession as the most effective quarterbacks of all time.

The Chargers will choose No. 22 within the 2025 NFL Draft after making a shock look within the playoffs with an 11-6 file final season. Harbaugh is at present in Indianapolis on the NFL Mix finding out prospects. The truth that Los Angeles already has their quarterback place locked down offers them flexibility getting into the draft, says Harbaugh. 

 ”We’re going into one other draft understanding that we bought crucial place locked down and that offers us freedom to take a look at when our choose comes up, who’s the best possible participant and that may very well be over a number of positions,” says Harbaugh. “We all know it received’t be quarterback. It’s a blessing.  Let’s take a look at all these different positions and go, let’s take one of the best participant obtainable.”

Harbaugh: I Want To Coach As Effectively As Herbert Performs

Herbert did battle of their playoff loss to the Houston Texans, posting 4 interceptions in a 32-12 loss. A kind of was returned for a landing. With that being stated, Harbaugh hasn’t misplaced confidence in his franchise quarterback. In reality, he says he must convey his teaching to Herbert’s “stage” of play.

 ”I’m seeking to do something and all the pieces for me personally to convey it to his stage and I do know the remainder of the blokes they really feel the identical means,” says Harbaugh of Herbert. “I heard Derwin James speak about that on the Professional Bowl to convey his recreation and no one does it higher than Derwin. However that’s form of the way in which I really feel.”

The College of Oregon product made an influence from the onset throughout his rookie season, setting single-season data for a first-year quarterback with 31 touchdowns and 396 passing completions. He holds a number of data in main passing classes for the primary a number of seasons of his profession, together with most passing yards in his first two, three, 4 and 5 seasons.

Harbaugh has solely coached Herbert for one season, however he is aware of an awesome quarterback when he sees one. The 61-year-old Harbaugh was a former first-round quarterback himself who made it to the Professional Bowl throughout his enjoying profession. He’s additionally coached Professional Bowlers Andrew Luck and Alex Smith through the years, together with first-round choose J.J. McCarthy.

He particulars that Herbert is a “perfectionist” and that’s what helps make him such an awesome quarterback.

“There’s a ton of things there, it’s expertise — no one has extra,” says Harbaugh. “It’s effort, no one offers extra effort than Justin and that’s actually how a participant is understood. By your expertise and energy, you can be identified. The opposite half, I believe that’s actually particular is that he’s a perfectionist and he desires to be nice.”

Harbaugh says Herbert doesn’t do it for “self-promotion” or consideration, he does it for the staff. It’s the rationale why the Chargers gravitate in direction of him.

 ”It’s not for the self promotion of Justin Herbert,” says Harbaugh. “It’s for his staff and so far as the group. his brothers within the locker room. That’s true, that’s actual. I believe that’s what makes him nice. That’s what makes the remainder of us gravitate to him a lot as a result of we all know he’s all about us.

“We all know he’s all in regards to the staff,” Harbaugh continues to say. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t sit at my desk or simply the thought in my head that he’s on our staff.”

The Chargers will clearly want to point out that they’ll take the subsequent step with Herbert at quarterback. For all of his gaudy passing numbers, Herbert nonetheless has but to win a playoff recreation. Moreover, his two playoff video games have been duds, with the earlier one occurring after the Chargers blew a 27-point lead — the third-largest in postseason historical past — in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They turned the primary staff to lose a playoff recreation with a turnover differential of a minimum of +5.

The franchise additionally hasn’t received a playoff recreation since 2018. Harbaugh positively believes in his quarterback and is making an attempt to maintain Herbert’s confidence excessive getting into the 2025 season. We’ll see if subsequent season is the yr Los Angeles takes a step in direction of the elite echelon in a troublesome division that includes two playoff groups within the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Denver Broncos and the Pete Carroll-led Las Vegas Raiders.