Harbaugh calls Herbert 'half-man, half-beast' after performance

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh argues with referee Brett Bergman (17) over a fumble call during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Jim Harbaugh calls Justin Herbert 'half-man, half-beast' after dominating performance

By Trevor Woods | Last updated Nov 10, 2024 10:28 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is not only one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, he's also one of the toughest. In a 27-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, Herbert showcased why he can beat a team with his arm and legs alike.

"I'm changing his name to Beast, he's Beast Herbert," Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. "Half-man, half-beast."

On a 4th-and-1 attempt late in the second quarter, Herbert took matters into his own hands and ran the ball. Herbert made some defenders miss and steamrolled into the endzone for a four-yard touchdown. The score gave the Chargers a 13-7 lead heading into halftime.

"There were a lot of unblocked guys and he just went beast mode and got that ball in the end zone," Harbaugh said.

justin patrick herbert

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On the day, Herbert was 14-of-18 for 164 yards with one passing touchdown along with 32 rushing yards one one rushing score. The 6-foot-6, 236-pound quarterback, now in his fifth NFL season, is starting to make history on the ground.

Per ESPN's Kris Rihm, Herbert set the Chargers franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,028.

Harbaugh called Herbert a "guardian of victory" and someone he's in awe of all of the time.

"No quarterback has completed more passes in the first five years of an NFL career than Justin Herbert. In the history of the National Football League, that speaks to his greatness," Harbaugh explained. "Just to be around it every day, that's what it feels like. It feels like you're around greatness every single day with Justin Herbert."

The relationship between Harbaugh and Herbert could carry the 6-3 Chargers far. After the game, Herbert sent praise back Harbaugh's way, saying "everyone wants to fight for him."

The appreciation of one another is nothing new, earlier in the year Harbaugh made clear what he thinks of Herbert's naysayers.

"If you don't love Justin Herbert, there's something wrong with you," Harbaugh said in September.

We'll see if Herbert can be a guardian of victory once more for Harbaugh's Chargers in Week 11 on "Sunday Night Football" against the 4-6 Cincinnati Bengals.

Trevor Woods

Trevor Woods covers the Los Angeles Chargers and AFC West for Yardbarker. Trevor also covers the Michigan Wolverines for SB Nation, including coverage at the NFL Combine, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, and National Championship. You can find him on X at @WoodsFootball.

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