Justin Herbert just completed his first minicamp with new head coach Jim Harbaugh and he has come away feeling very good about the direction of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The chemistry between the quarterback and Harbaugh is developing rapidly, and the head coach has already changed the culture of the organization. Herbert said he’s honored to play for Harbaugh.
“He’s done such a great job taking this team and getting them to where he wants them to go,” Herbert told reporters Thursday. “He’s won wherever he’s at. He’s a guy that everyone wants to follow and play for. I’m really excited to get to play for him.”
Harbaugh has nothing but praise for Herbert.
“He’s been incredible. I think it’s probably the reaction that everybody has. From my standpoint, I knew he was really good, but you’re right up next to him watching where you can feel the way the ball comes out of his hand. When it comes out, it’s going a lot faster than you think, than it looks on tape. He’s bigger, taller than you’d think watching TV,” Harbaugh told reporters. “The athleticism and strength, really, he could play tight end here. He could play edge rusher here. And the arm talent is even better than advertised. It’s an exciting thing. I found myself just sitting at my desk at times, going, ‘He’s on our team!’ “
With Harbaugh at the helm, Herbert is playing for his third head coach in his five seasons in the NFL. He’s also learning a new offensive under his fourth offensive coordinator. What make Harbaugh different is he was a quarterback for 14 seasons in the NFL, giving Herbert a head coach who can directly relate to him at the position.
“For him to come to the quarterback room and share his thoughts, it’s great perspective,” Herbert said. “He’s done it as a coach and played at a high level for so long. Any advice like that is awesome. It’s great for us. We get to learn from him.”
What the Chargers want to learn more than anything is how to win consistently, particularly in close games. They are coming off a disappointing 5-12 season in 2023 after earning a playoff berth in 2022. Harbaugh is a proven winner at every level and the Chargers hope his pedigree will propel them to a playoff berth in 2024.