Chargers HC raves about QB Justin Herbert's camp performance under new OC
The Chargers adding offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could pay dividends for quarterback Justin Herbert.
"[Head] coach Brandon Staley said Herbert's having the best camp he has had in Staley's three seasons with the Chargers," wrote Dan Graziano of ESPN.
The 25-year-old impressed last season, throwing for 4,739 yards in 17 games, second in the league behind Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes. But Staley implied he felt the Chargers failed to maximize Herbert. Consequently, he brought in Moore after the organization fired OC Joe Lombardi.
"I know it wasn't stylistically what people would want to see from him, but it was kind of how we had to play," Staley said of Herbert's 2022 performance, via Graziano. "But Kellen does such a good job of getting the quarterback to play fast, giving him that green light to go. And I don't think he bogs the quarterback down with things that don't really matter."
Moore letting the fourth-year QB play more aggressively will help him light up the stat sheet. While Moore served as Dallas OC from 2019 to 2022, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw 99 TDs, seventh in the league during that timeframe. Herbert could throw more because he has a better arm.
If Herbert vaults to another level this season, he could enter the MVP discussion. Per OddsChecker, he holds the fifth-best odds (+1300) of winning the award.
If Herbert reaches this level, he might win his first playoff game and silence skeptics. He underwhelmed in his playoff debut last season, posting a below-average QBR of 45.6 in a 31-30 wildcard-round loss to Jacksonville.
Expect a huge year for Herbert since he's in an offense that will allow him to prosper and show why he's one of the best QBs in the game.
More must-reads: