Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers is a certifiably elite quarterback, and he has one of the stronger throwing arms anyone has seen in the NFL.
He just received a huge contract extension, and at age 25, his best football is likely ahead of him.
However, many wondered what was going on with him last season when he opted for safe checkdown passes rather than letting the football fly and taking advantage of his rocket-launcher arm.
Herbert says that this season, the Chargers want to make sure they play more of a vertical game downfield.
Justin Herbert is going to let it fly this season 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fv6vEU1an3
— PFF (@PFF) July 28, 2023
Los Angeles has had two solid wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as an excellent dual-threat running back in Austin Ekeler, yet Herbert became Captain Checkdown rather than flinging the ball downfield.
It led many Chargers fans to call for the firing of head coach Brandon Staley after the team had an epic meltdown in the playoffs by blowing a 27-0 lead and losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Instead, the team brought in Kellen Moore, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, to be its new offensive coordinator, and the hope is that he will give Herbert the directive to play a much more wide-open game.
In Dallas, Moore guided some of the NFL’s most productive offenses over the last four years, and the Cowboys actually led the league in total yards twice during that span.
The Bolts also have a promising wideout prospect in first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston, who is considered a legitimate speed threat and could very well help Herbert make good on his goal.
NEXT: Austin Ekeler Makes Strong Statement On Current RB Situation
