NFL insider: Chargers QB Justin Herbert 'could garner serious MVP consideration' in 2022

ESPN's Bill Barnwell made his predictions for "25 NFL breakout candidates for 2022" on Monday and among them was San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance, who he wrote "might be an MVP candidate" this season. Lance wasn't the only youthful signal-caller out west who Barnwell raved about following the first busy weekend of preseason action.

Unlike the Niners' man under center, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers didn't make an appearance in Saturday's tune-up against the Los Angeles Rams, but also unlike Lance, Herbert already has two big-time seasons to his credit thus far in his career. After being selected sixth overall during the 2020 NFL Draft, the Oregon product posted a 66.6% completion percentage with 4,336 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 55 carries for 234 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Herbert captured the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and was even better in 2021, making his first Pro Bowl after collecting 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, along with 63 rushing attempts for 302 yards and three scores. Barnwell said that the 24-year-old could take another step forward in 2022.

"There certainly have been moments in which Herbert has looked like the best quarterback in football over his first two seasons. His arm strength has given him the ability to fit passes into impossible windows and complete passes other signal-callers wouldn't even dare to attempt. Every one of his receivers is a live target on each dropback. He has exhibited an ability to raise his game in key moments, with that incredible series of fourth-down conversions against the Raiders in Week 18 serving as a prominent recent example," Barnwell wrote. "With impressive playmakers and yet another first-round pick added to his offensive line, Herbert could garner serious MVP consideration in 2022."

One week ago, an anonymous NFL coach described Herbert as "like a bigger Aaron Rodgers." Listed at 6-foot-6, Herbert has approximately four inches of height on the Green Bay Packers' future Hall-of-Famer.

Rodgers won the first of his four MVP awards at 28 years old, so if the Chargers' signal-caller were to capture the honor this season, he will have taken the hardware four years younger than No. 12. Of course, Rodgers spent the first three years of his career backing up Brett Favre and didn't take over as the starter until his age-25 season in 2008.

He also has shown no signs of slowing down at age 38 with back-to-back MVPs, so he should be favored over Herbert and company.