Justin Herbert continues to impress new coaching staff with the Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is ramping up his knowledge of a new offense as the Los Angeles Chargers begin their off season training program.

The quarterback is learning the offense under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but he has already impressed the coaching staff. Passing game coordinator Marcus Brady said he likes Herbert’s skillset as a passer.

“He’s massive when you first see him,” Brady said, according to a report from LA Sports Report’s James Brizuela. “He’s got the big arm, so he can catch the field… he does well at all three phases of the game.”

The only problem is who will be catching passes from Herbert when the Chargers are in obvious pass situations.

The Chargers lost wide receivers Keenan Allen (signed free agent deal with the Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (signed free agent deal with the New York Jets). Tight end Gerald Everett signed with the Bears as a free agent and running back Austin Ekeler signed a free agent deal with the Washington Commanders. Those four players accounted for 57% of Herbert’s completions, pass yards and passing touchdowns.

The Chargers currently have four wide receivers on the roster – Quentin Johnson, Joshua Palmer, Derius Davis and Simi Fehoko. Those four combined to catch 115 passes for 1,097 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Allen caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

Harbaugh doesn’t want the Chargers to rely on Herbert’s “big arm” to power the offense. He wants to develop a strong rushing attack to help the quarterback be more effective. Harbaugh’s use of a strong run game has been the hallmark of his success everywhere he has coached. He plans to develop the offensive line and add players who will enhance the run game.

The Chargers signed tight ends Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly in free agency, two players known more for their run blocking than pass catching. They also signed Gus Edwards, a bruising running back who thrived in the Baltimore Ravens’ run-centric system under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who is now the offensive coordinator with the Chargers.