The Los Angeles Chargers had a very good season under Jim Harbaugh in his first year back in the NFL.
They made it back to the playoffs after winning 11+ games in the regular season for the first time since the 2018 season.
However, they ultimately were pounded by the Houston Texans 32-12 on the road in the wildcard round, with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert having a nightmare game (four interceptions).
Chargers legend Shawne Merriman recently discussed how Herbert will need to improve his play in the playoffs.
“On big stages like this, you gotta perform. There’s no way around it…That’s something he has to fix going forward,” Merriman said Tuesday on ESPN Radio.
“That’s something he has to fix going forward.”@ShawneMerriman is concerned that Justin Herbert’s only playoff starts have been two of the worst games of his career #BoltUp https://t.co/fiQqAhDvAn pic.twitter.com/loKsVbhV9c
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) January 14, 2025
There is no doubt that Herbert has the ability to be great in this league.
Just look at the 2021 season when the former Offensive Rookie of the Year threw for over 5,000 yards and recorded 41 total touchdowns.
He also only threw three interceptions in the regular season this year.
However, he has to start performing that way in the playoffs.
This latest playoff start was likely the worst of his career.
He completed just 14 passes on 32 attempts for 242 yards, a touchdown, and those aforementioned four interceptions.
In a conference with the likes of Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Bo Nix, etc., Herbert is really going to have to up his game over the next few seasons.
Otherwise, the Chargers could have second thoughts about giving him that hefty five-year extension back in 2023.
NEXT: Justin Herbert Had A Wild Stat In Loss To The Texans
