Former QB believes Chargers' Justin Herbert will reach next level under Jim Harbaugh
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert should thrive under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, as the 25-year-old might be the most talented passer he's ever coached.
"The most talented QB Jim Harbaugh ever had was Andrew Luck. This cat's not far off," ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky said Thursday on "Get Up." "Justin Herbert now has a coach that gets him into the Patrick Mahomes [Chiefs], Josh Allen [Bills], Lamar Jackson [Ravens], Joe Burrow [Bengals] conversation."
Luck — who starred for Harbaugh while he served as Stanford HC from 2007-10 — made four Pro Bowls and won 2018 Comeback Player of the Year in seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Herbert has a higher passer rating (95.7), more passing TDs (114) and a better completion percentage (66.6%) than Luck did in his first four seasons.
However, the former first-round pick hasn't become a perennial MVP candidate due to his record as a starter (30-32). The 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year also has no playoff wins (0-1) and is 9-12 against the AFC West.
It's not his fault, though, as a dysfunctional environment hindered his ability to win big games. During Herbert's career, the Chargers have cycled through three offensive coordinators, and Harbaugh is his third HC. Los Angeles fired Brandon Staley — who went 24-24 in three seasons — after Week 15.
Harbaugh should turn L.A. into a winner. While he served as 49ers HC from 2011-14, he went 44-19-1 and made a Super Bowl XLVII appearance. In nine seasons with Michigan, he led the Wolverines to three College Football Playoff trips and won a national title.
More importantly, he's excelled with different QBs, including Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. Imagine what he can do with a budding star in Herbert. Perhaps the duo will drive the Chargers to their first Super Bowl title.
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