“Justin Herbert’s a leader. He was a rock. Kept everybody calm,” Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh praised his QB Justin Herbert after 12 players and 2 women were stuck in the elevator of a Dallas Hotel before the 3rd preseason game against the Cowboys. He reiterated his stance during the season, praising the signal caller in November 2024, saying, “He’s not only one of the best in the game currently, he’s one of the best of all-time.” However, his stance is almost the same even after the season.
The Oregon quarterback achieved his best NFL record (11-6) in 5 seasons when Jim Harbaugh arrived there. It was established that they fulfilled each other’s needs. However, during the May 2 episode of The Rich Eisen Show, the coach also listed out the challenges. He is on a comeback path after a decade when he left the 49ers for Michigan in 2014. While talking about his issue, the HC said, “I wake up every day trying to be worthy to, you know, be his (Justin Herbert’s) coach—and the rest of the guys on the team. Well, clearly, they’re coached: Derwin James, Khalil Mack. Yeah, that’s the challenge every day—you know, to get to their level and contribute well.” That can be a challenge.
Justin Herbert solidified his position as the leader by taking the team to the playoffs. In 17 games (all starters), he recorded 65.9% pass completion with 7.7 passing yards per attempt (his career best) in 3,870 passing yards and a 23-3 TD-Int ratio. That’s truly impressive. However, Khalil Mack did not perform as per the expectations.
The 34-year-old played 16 games, finishing with 39 tackles (20 solo), 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 9 defended passes. These sacks are the lowest, other than his rookie season (4 sacks in 16 games) and 2011 (6 sacks in only 7 games). So, Jim Harbaugh needs to pay attention. He has identified the key areas that need work. It shows the Chargers are on the right track.
While he has taken the responsibility upon himself to make the signal caller a dominant player, “I just woke up the other day and said, I gotta get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame.” There are other areas he needs to work on. Only then can he truly resonate with the quarterback.
Jim Harbaugh reveals a disadvantage with Justin Herbert
The 27-year-old player wants to win trophies. And he wants to win them young. Jim Harbaugh also wants to win the Super Bowl. However, their mind works differently. It reflects when they watch the game tape.
“I’m at a disadvantage intellectually to start with—the way his mind works, I mean. He would be one of those chess players who can think eight, ten moves ahead. Shane Day, our quarterback coach, does a phenomenal job. Those film sessions are Shane, the other quarterbacks, and Justin. He wants to be great, but not in a way that’s about self-promotion—he wants it for his teammates. Just nothing but respect at the highest level,” the Chargers HC said about Justin Herbert.
Another important coach on their staff, Shane Day, was their quarterbacks coach in 2021 and 2022 before moving to the Texans in 2023. However, Jim Harbaugh brought him back in 2024 when he became the head coach. The quarterback has played 2 wild-card playoff games (in 2022 and 2024) till now. But they want to play the next postseason games and win the trophy.
The Bolts’ fans can rest assured about the dedication. Even when he suffered the atrial flutter (irregular heartbeat) last October, he revealed his passion, “It would take my heart stopping for me not to be out there on the sideline.” Brace yourselves for some emotionally powerful moments as the teams prepare for OTAs and voluntary workouts.
The post Jim Harbaugh Reveals Key Challenges as Chargers HC & Admits ‘Disadvantage’ Against Justin Herbert appeared first on EssentiallySports.
