Justin Herbert feels good about where the Los Angeles Chargers are past the midpoint of the season.
The Chargers are currently 6-3 and just one game behind the Denver Broncos for the division lead in the AFC West. It’s worth noting that the Chargers defeated the Broncos earlier in the season in a 23-20 victory over Denver in Week 3. Herbert threw for 300 passing yards in the win.
Entering their Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers — another AFC playoff contender — Herbert says the Chargers have done a lot of “good things” despite dealing with their rash of injuries.
“I think the first half of the year, I think we’ve done a lot of good things,” Herbert told The Escapist in a one-on-one interview. “We’re at 6-3 right now in a very good division, very good conference. I think we’ve dealt with our fair share of adversity, a few injuries.
“We’ve lost a few guys throughout the year, but I think we’ve had guys who have stepped up big time in roles that we really needed. Offensive linemen, we’ve kind of shuffled around a few guys. I think the way that everyone has dealt with that is going to bring us into the next half and give us a better shot of continuing to play good football.”
The Chargers have indeed dealt with their share of injuries, with running back Omarion Hampton having been sidelined since Week 5 due to an ankle injury. His backup, Najee Harris, is out for the year due to a torn Achilles tendon.
As far as their offensive linemen are concerned, their starting offensive tackle Joe Alt is out for the season after suffering an injury in their Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans. That led to the team making a move for New Orleans Saints tackle Trevor Penning at the trade deadline.
The offensive line injuries may be a little bit of cause for concern moving forward. However, it has yet to impact the Chargers in a negative way when it comes to their overall record. It is worth noting that they’re 4-0 this season with Alt in the lineup and just 2-3 without him.
Their upcoming home matchup against the Steelers will go a long way towards determining or not they will be negatively affected by the absence of Alt, who was their fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Herbert: I’m Running the Way I Want to This Season
The offensive line injuries — right tackle Bobby Hart was also injured in the first quarter against the Titans — may be a reason why Herbert has been running more this season.
The sixth-year quarterback will set a career high in rushing yards with half of the season left to play. The 27-year-old has rushed for 305 yards this season, just one off of his career high of 306 rushing yards. His 6.6 yards per carry is easily a career high and his rushing success rate of 67.4% is also at its best.
Herbert is actually leading all quarterbacks with 305 rushing yards this season — more than mobile quarterbacks such as Justin Fields and Josh Allen.
When asked what is leading to his career-best rushing season, Herbert says it’s a combination of things — such as plays breaking down and an emphasis upon running — but it’s also because he’s no longer dealing with an ankle sprain injury like he did last year.
“Last year I had two high ankle sprains, and so I was a little limited with my mobility,” Herbert said. “I wasn’t really able to play the way I wanted to. I think this year — defenses do a great job of covering downfield. If everyone’s covered downfield and you got to go convert a third down, you’re going to have to use your legs and go get it. I think we’ve done a good job of that. We’re playing at our best when the run game is good, pass game, play action, and I’m able to scramble for some yards. I think I’ve done a good job of taking care of my body and making sure I can go get it.”
Herbert isn’t known as a mobile quarterback, he’s known more as a pocket-passing quarterback. However, he does possess the ability to run the football and rush for yards when needed. He says he would rate his mobility a “five.”
“I would say a five,” says Herbert of how he would rate his mobility. “I think it’s average. I definitely work on it. I’m not nearly as fast as some of the other skill players. I understand that. But if I’m able to go get a couple yards, I’m going to go get it.”
The Chargers quarterback mentions Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as some of his favorite passers growing up. Neither of those all-time greats are known for their mobility at all.
However, Herbert wouldn’t say he’s much more mobile than Brady and Manning. He does say that he will make a play with his legs when need be.
“I don’t know, those guys are still pretty mobile,” says Herbert of Brady and Manning. “I think it’s more so just playing to your position and understanding that if I can go get a first down with my legs, I’m going to do everything I can to do it, and making sure I’m taking care of my body.”
Last Updated On: Nov 6, 2025 3:59 pm CET