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Justin Herbert’s secret weapon: The speed shortcut no one saw coming
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- Justin Herbert’s secret weapon: The speed shortcut no one saw coming
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Justin Herbert , Mike McDaniel and the Chargers ' plans for the next stage of the quarterback development
McDaniel has spoken about wanting Herbert to fully take control of the role. That comment seems to be focused on the mental side of his game, rather than any physical skills.
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The Chargers aren't looking to change how he throws – it's more about how quickly he processes things on the field.
Herbert already ranks among the top quarterbacks in the NFL when it comes to arm strength, accuracy outside the numbers and toughness in the pocket.
The Chargers are not overhauling a struggling player. They are trying to make an already gifted one more efficient on snaps that decide postseason outcomes.
That distinction matters because McDaniel is not talking about a total rebuild. He is talking about shaving wasted time off a great player's process.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
2025 stats make the change clear
Herbert's average time to throw was 2.90 seconds last season, 11th slowest among qualifying passers. He also ranked third in pressure rate at 43.3 per cent, third in sacks with 54 and first in total pressures absorbed with 268.
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Part of that was due to a struggling offensive line, but it's still telling. Herbert often let plays extend long enough for pressure to become a factor, which is exactly what McDaniel wants to address.
The risk with someone as talented as Herbert is leaning into his ability to extend every snap into something bigger. But McDaniel appears focused on getting him into a faster rhythm, with sharper footwork and quicker decisions, rather than just scaling back the offence.
There's an important distinction there. Herbert doesn't need to play it safe more often – he needs to react more quickly when the big play isn't available right away.
How Los Angeles 's recent postseason results raise the stakes
The Chargers have managed just 15 points across their last two wild-card defeats. That context sets the tone for this offseason, highlighting why McDaniel's role is so significant. Los Angeles can't keep relying on Herbert's ability to mask every offensive flaw.
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Defences in the playoffs aren't forgiving. They make quarterbacks stick to the schedule, and any hesitation is quickly exploited. If Herbert is going to help this team move past its underachieving label, he needs to start winning more plays before the pressure even gets there.
Quarterback growth does not always mean adding new tricks. Sometimes it means removing unnecessary friction. For Herbert, that probably means fewer hits, fewer late-down scrambles into traffic and more possessions that feel simple before they become dangerous.
That is the part of quarterbacking he can still control, even when protection leaks or the route picture changes. If McDaniel gets him there, Herbert's best football may actually still be ahead instead of simply assumed to be.
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