Justin Herbert is very accustomed to adjusting to a new offense.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ star quarterback is adjusting to his third head coach (four if interim coach Giff Smith is added) in his first four seasons. He’s also adjusting to his fifth offensive coordinator during the span.
Herbert is learning a new offense under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. With training camp just two weeks away, new Chargers center Bradley Bozeman has given Herbert’s ability to adjust and learn the new offense glowing reviews following offseason workouts.
“He acts like he’s been in the system for 10 years,” Bozeman recently told chargers.com. “He dives so deep into the system and knew it so well before anyone else could even grasp it. It’s been impressive to see him put people in the right positions and just elevate people around him.”
Cycling through head coaches and offensive coordinators hasn’t prevented Herbert from producing.
Herbert has averaged 277 passing yard per game and more than 4,300 yards a season during his career. He has also averaged 28 touchdown passes per year and 95.7 rating. Herbert has set franchise single-season records for touchdowns (38), passing yards (5,014), and completions (443).
If Herbert is going to thrive in 2024, he’ll have to do so without key players from the 2023 season.
The Chargers traded wide receiver Keenan Allen, the team’s top wideout, to the Chicago Bears. They released wide receiver Mike Williams, their No. 2 player at the position. Running back Austin Ekeler, who led the team in rushing last year, signed with the Washington Commanders and Gerald Everett, their top tight end, signed with the Bears. Those four players accounted for 57% of Herbert’s completions, passing yards and touchdowns in 2023.
Under Harbaugh’s guidance, the expectation is Herbert could have the best season of his career. Bozeman knows he will play a big role in the potential success of Herbert and the Chargers.
“The guy is so serious about what he does and I am all for that,” Bozeman told chargers.com. “It’s been great getting to work with him and build that rapport. My goal was to come in and try and be as perfect as I could to earn that respect and have it be mutual. It’s been a good start.”