Justin Herbert Stats: Chargers QB Could Be Primed for 2023

Talented Rookie Joins Strong Group of Pass Catchers with Chargers

When it comes to the teams that could dethrone the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers don’t seem to be very high up in the conversation.

The inability to win in the postseason certainly plays a role. It is not due to a lack of talent.

The Chargers have game-changing players at quarterback, running back and receiver and two of the top pass rushers in the NFL.

Leading the way is quarterback Justin Herbert, who has put up impressive stats in his first three NFL seasons after being the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. There are some lofty projections in 2023 when it comes to Justin Herbert’s stats.

Herbert is tied for fifth in the NFL Regular Season MVP odds with former MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. In his first three seasons, the Chargers have won 25 games in the regular season started by the former Oregon quarterback and in 13 of those wins, Herbert engineered a game-winning scoring drive.

A quick look at the NFL passing leaders shows that Herbert is the NFL’s career leader with an average of 40.1 passing attempts per game

Here is a look at what to expect from the strong-armed Herbert going into the 2023 season for a Chargers team priced at -120 to go over 9.5 wins.

Been There, Done That

Herbert was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and threw for more than 5,000 yards in his second season. When looking at Justin Herbert’s stats, he has 94 touchdown passes and just 35 interceptions in his first three seasons.

The list of players with at least 5,000 passing yards in a season before turning 25 is a rather short one with Herbert joined by Hall of Famer Dan Marino as well as Matthew Stafford and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes.

Herbert already has thrown for more than 300 yards in 22 games during the regular season in his first three NFL seasons as he has delivered plenty of NFL highlights in the brief time he has been in the league.

The list of players projected to throw for more than 4,500 during the upcoming season is limited to just Mahomes and Herbert.

It doesn’t hurt that the Chargers threw the ball 711 times and ran it on 404 occasions a season ago and that gives Herbert plenty of chances to air it out.

Herbert’s touchdown passing numbers did fall to a career-low 25 in 2022 and some of that could be attributed to receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams combining to miss 11 games. Tight end Donald Parham Jr. had three TD catches in each of his first two seasons. He had just one scoring catch in the six games he played in. Having the 6-foot-8 Parham available for the entire season will be a huge help as Herbert looks to improve on his 25 touchdown passes.

Surrounded by Talent

Allen and Williams are going into their seventh season together. Since Williams arrived on the scene, Allen has topped the 100-catch mark four times in six seasons. He fell three catches shy of that mark in 2018 and had he not missed seven games in 2022, he likely would have reached triple digits in receptions once again.

In the salary cap era, it can be hard to keep top receiving tandems together. The familiarity that Herbert has with both Allen and Williams is invaluable.

The Chargers added former Texas Christian receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round. Josh Palmer is another top pass catcher. Johnston is ninth (four among receivers) in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.

Running back Austin Ekeler rescinded his trade request and that is great news for Herbert. In 2019, he needed seven more yards to top 1,000 yards receiving yards.

Ekeler had a career-high 107 receptions a season ago and did it on 127 targets. He is a key part of the Chargers’ passing game.

All the pieces are in place for Justin Herbert’s stats to rank among the best in the NFL during the 2023 season.

MUST Protect the Quarterback

The Chargers used first-round picks on offensive linemen in the 2021 and 2022 drafts. Rashawn Slater and Zion Johnson are key pieces of a line that features second-year guard Jamaree Salyer, veteran center Corey Linsley and tackle Trey Pipkins. A fifth-round pick was used on former Clemson offensive tackle Jordan McFadden.

The Chargers have made it a priority to protect their franchise quarterback and that is a reason why Herbert has put up impressive numbers.

Herbert has been sacked 101 times in 49 career regular-season games and the Chargers are trying to surround him with personnel that will limit the number of hits that he takes.

Ready to Air It Out

The season begins with the Chargers playing teams that had issues defending the pass.

Miami, which will face the Chargers in the Sept. 10 season opener, ranked 27th out of 32 teams in passing yards allowed per game last season. That is followed by road matchups against the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. Tennessee surrendered the most passing yards and Minnesota the second most in the 2022 season.

That is followed by a game against the Raiders and they were 29th in passing defense.

There should be ample opportunities for Herbert to put up some gaudy numbers heading into the Week 5 bye.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• 2023-24 Lamar Jackson Stats: Ravens Star Ready To Win Another MVP
• GOAT Status: Where Does Travis Kelce’s Stats Rank Among Tight Ends?
• Saquon Barkley Stats: Giants, RB Still at Odds Over New Deal
• NFL Tacklers Leader: Roquan Smith Primed for Big Year
• USFL Week 7 Betting: Stallions Favored Over Breakers in Week’s Top Game