Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy has offered candid advice to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, urging him to relax and play with less pressure. Van Noy, who has played alongside several elite <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL quarterbacks including Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, and Lamar Jackson, spoke from experience about how Herbert’s perfectionism might be holding him back. He believes that by easing the mental strain, Herbert can elevate his performance on the field.

Insight into Herbert’s Competitiveness and Work Ethic

During the 2022 season, Van Noy shared a locker room with Herbert and observed both his impressive talents and his serious approach to the game. Van Noy pointed out that Herbert cares deeply about his performance, saying,

“Part of me says [Herbert] needs to relax a little bit, because he cares so much,”

—Kyle Van Noy. He stressed the importance of not overthinking and simply playing football,

“He’s a perfectionist. Just go out there and play ball.”

These remarks reflect Van Noy’s firsthand understanding of Herbert’s mindset and his belief in the quarterback’s potential to grow by finding a better balance.

The Impact of Team Relationships and Leadership Development

Van Noy also commented on the influence Herbert could have if he extended the effort he showed him throughout the locker room. He explained,

“If he was able to give what he gave to me for a year to everybody else in the locker room, I think it would change people’s perception of him,”

—Kyle Van Noy. This suggestion highlights that stronger relationships with teammates could improve Herbert’s leadership and overall team cohesion.

Despite recognizing Herbert’s significant achievements early in his career, Van Noy noted the quarterback’s tendency to take the game extremely seriously.

“You’ve already accomplished so much. I know he wants to accomplish even more,”

he said.

“But I do feel like he takes the game very seriously.”

Van Noy admires Herbert’s dedication, adding,

“The one thing I will say about Justin is he works really hard, and I appreciate that as a teammate.”

At the same time, he encouraged Herbert to find moments to step back and reflect on other aspects of his preparation:

“Sometimes you don’t have to work as hard. Let’s take a step back for just a second and diagnose – am I doing other parts of the game like the film study enough?”

—Kyle Van Noy.

Areas for Improvement and the Road Ahead

While Herbert shows great promise, Van Noy sees opportunities for the quarterback to take more responsibility in his personal development and in fostering stronger team dynamics. Noting Herbert’s involvement in team events such as dinners, Van Noy remarked,

“I do think he’s doing some things,”

but added,

“I think he could also do more. And that’s just me from my year of being with him.”

Acknowledging Herbert’s youth and growth potential, Van Noy suggested that continued efforts to engage with teammates could help Herbert become a more effective leader on and off the field.

Though the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers do not meet during the regular season, a playoff confrontation remains possible. As the teams prepare for the upcoming NFL season, Van Noy’s tough love message may guide Herbert toward a more balanced approach, allowing him to harness his work ethic while embracing a calmer mindset that could unlock greater success.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What was Justin Herbert’s GPA?

A. Herbert earned a spot on the first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American list thanks to his 4.08 GPA in biology.

Q. What is Justin Herbert’s GPA?

A. Justin Herbert achieved a 4.01 GPA while also setting records on the football field. His remarkable accomplishments make him one of the top student-athletes in college football history. Herbert graduated with a science degree.