'Fricking stud': Justin Herbert may be Tier 1 QB, but can he get Chargers to playoffs?

In Mike Sando's annual NFL QB Tiers story in The Athletic, the Chargers' Justin Herbert earned Tier 1 placement, a No. 5 ranking overall and plaudits from an anonymous NFL offensive coach:

“Man, I was so impressed with him live. He has a chance to do something special. He’s the best pure thrower of the three young guys (Herbert, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow). I didn’t realize he was that athletic. One of our studs was chasing him down and he got around him and was laughing at him the whole time. The competitive spirit, the athletic ability, I saw a fricking stud in our game.”

Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow also made Tier 1. 

Although Herbert's talent isn’t in question, Sando was quick to point out he hasn’t won many games. Herbert is the first quarterback under 25 to make Sando's Tier 1 without having played in the playoffs.

Herbert compiled a 15-17 record over his first two seasons despite breaking records for the most passing yards (9,350) and passing touchdowns (69) by a player in his first two seasons. 

The Chargers, who have missed the playoffs three straight seasons, have issues, perhaps more than their talented QB can cover up. The Cowboys gave the Chargers' offensive line trouble during joint practices between the teams last week, per ESPN. Dallas sacked Herbert several times and intercepted the third-year QB, who suffered from poor protection.

Adding to the Chargers' woes, cornerback J.C. Jackson, the team's prized free-agent signee, will miss two to four weeks following ankle surgery, per NFL.com. 

The Chargers aren’t strangers to great quarterback play without much playoff payoff. Former Chargers star Philip Rivers, a probable Hall of Fame quarterback, ranks sixth all time in passing yards (63,440) and touchdown passes (421). However, his playoff record was only 5-7. He made it to the AFC Championship Game once.

Herbert has gaudy stats, but he must turn personal success into wins for many to judge him as truly a Tier 1 QB.