Concerning Trend Continuing For Quarterback Justin Herbert

The Chargers gave Justin Herbert a five-year, $265 million contract in 2023. While Herbert should shoulder the blame for some of the offensive struggles this season, there were clearly things around him that went wrong that were out of his control.

The biggest one this season was the injuries to the offensive line. The Chargers lost star offensive linemen Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt for the year. Herbert found himself under pressure on what felt like every drop back. He took a beating and had to play the last couple months with a broken left hand. Not ideal for you franchise quarterback. 

The Chargers defense deserves a whole lot of credit for leading this team to an 11-6 record and a playoff appearance. In then end it wasn't enough as their offense was shut down in their playoff game against the Patriots. They only had 207 total yards and put up three points in the 16-3 loss.

5th Offensive Coordinator Incoming for Herbert 

After a four-year career with the Oregon Ducks, Justin Herbert was selected No. 6 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Herbert played for Oregon from 2016-2020, throwing for 10,541 yards and 95 touchdown passes. He also proved to be a pretty good running threat and had 560 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. 

The Ducks best season with Herbert was his fourth and final in 2019, where they won the Pac-12 Championship and the Rose Bowl. 

Since becoming a Charger, Hebert has not had the most stability. After six years, he is on his third different head coach. Additionally, when the 2026 season kicks off it will be his fifth different offensive coordinator in seven years: Shane Steichen, Joe Lombardi, Kellen Moore, Greg Roman, and whoever the new one will be. 

At Oregon, Herbert had multiple offensive coordinators as well in Marcus Arroyo and Matt Lubick.

Greg Roman Fired

Greg Roman was hired as the Chargers offensive coordinator by Jim Harbaugh got the Chargers head coaching job in 2024. Roman had been on Harbaugh’s staff back with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014. In between the time with the 49ers and Chargers, Roman was primarily with the Baltimore Ravens under Jim’s brother, John Harbaugh’s coaching staff. 

The Chargers offense never had the consistency that they hoped in Roman’s tenure. In both seasons, they hovered around the middle of the pack when it came to points scored per game; 11th in 2024 with 22.9 and 20th in 2025 with 21.6. 

In the playoffs, it was even worse. They scored 12 and then 3 points in their two wild card playoff losses under Roman.