The Los Angeles Chargers appointed Jim Harbaugh as head coach in 2024 with the goal of maximizing quarterback Justin Herbert’s postseason breakthrough potential. Recent assessments suggest Harbaugh might be close to guiding Herbert to reach that next level in his career.
Mike Sando of The Athletic released his annual quarterback tiers, which are based on the input of 50 anonymous NFL executives and coaches. Herbert was placed in Tier 2 and ranked seventh overall, falling behind Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels. Notably, Herbert had been in Tier 1 in both 2022 and 2023, but one offensive coach believes Harbaugh’s influence could return him to that elite status this season.
Coaching Insight on Herbert’s Development Challenges
One offensive coach explained Herbert’s current struggles, highlighting his competitive nature but tendency to become distracted by minor issues. The coach identified this as an area where Harbaugh’s guidance could be crucial for improvement.
“[Herbert is] very smart and very competitive, but he lets the little things distract him,” the coach told Sando. “He needs to forget about the little things. Jim (Harbaugh) will point that out to him and get it right. This will be a big year for him.”
Team Progress Under Harbaugh and Recent Postseason Performance
Since Harbaugh took over, Herbert and the Chargers rebounded from a disappointing 5-12 record in his first year to finish 11-6 in the following season. The team secured second place in the AFC West, behind the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the Chargers faced a tough playoff defeat against the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round, losing 32-12. This marked Herbert’s postseason record at 0-2, highlighting the postseason success still eluding him.
Despite the playoff setbacks, Harbaugh remains committed to preserving Herbert’s confidence and building toward greater achievements. In a May interview on the Rich Eisen Show, Harbaugh expressed high aspirations for Herbert’s career, aiming to shape him into a Hall of Famer.
Enhanced Offensive Weapons Boosting Herbert’s Prospects
To support Herbert’s development, the Chargers bolstered their receiving options in the 2025 NFL Draft and offseason moves. They selected Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris with the No. 55 pick in the second round and also reunited with star wideout Keenan Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler known for his reliable hands and experience.
These additions complement a promising young receiving core led by second-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who impressed last season with the 10th-highest receiving yards in the league, accumulating 1,149 yards over 16 games. This reinforced corps positions Herbert well to elevate his performance this year.
High Expectations for Herbert’s Breakout Season
An offensive coordinator familiar with Herbert’s talents shared strong optimism about the quarterback’s ability to return to elite status, emphasizing that Herbert is close but has yet to fully realize his potential at the highest level.
“A lot of people have him as an automatic 1,” an offensive coordinator told Sando. “I want him to take it. It seems like he is almost there, but he hasn’t really done it.”
If Herbert achieves this breakthrough, he would join the ranks of Tier 1 quarterbacks such as Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. The early signs indicate that under Harbaugh’s leadership, Herbert is positioned to take the important next step in his career.