Justin Herbert on ‘Rearview’: Chargers Are ‘Steps Forward’ of Final Season

Might the Los Angeles Chargers be the crew to beat within the AFC West?

Earlier than the 2025 season began, hype surrounded the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Denver Broncos. The defending convention and division champs entered the yr on a quest to avenge their Tremendous Bowl LIX loss, whereas the Broncos have one of many NFL’s greatest defenses and younger quarterbacks. However might or not it’s the Chargers who shock everybody and steal the headlines? 

It actually seemed that approach throughout their opening-week assertion victory. The Chargers beat the Chiefs 27-21 within the first iteration of the NFL’s Worldwide Video games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. It was the primary time they defeated their division rivals since 2021. 

Whereas the Chargers emerged from that sport 1-0, the win over the Chiefs means greater than most, and quarterback Justin Herbert burdened that in his look on Mark Sanchez’s new digital present, “Rearview.”

“We knew how essential that sport was to us,” Herbert instructed Sanchez. “To be the crew we need to be, now we have to beat groups like [the Chiefs] — the most effective of the most effective. I assumed it was a terrific problem for us to go on the market and execute.”

“The place we’re this yr in comparison with the place we have been final yr is steps forward,” Herbert added. 

The Chargers had a powerful season in 2024, going 11-6 within the first yr with head coach Jim Harbaugh, however they fell flat in a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans within the AFC Wild Card Spherical. They discovered from that loss, retooled, and continued to construct round Herbert. 

They signed veteran extensive receiver Keenan Allen, who was with Herbert on the Chargers for 4 seasons. They invested within the improvement of fellow pass-catchers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey. And second-year offensive lineman Joe Alt swiftly moved from proper to left deal with, stepping in for the injured Rashawn Slater. 

Johnston, particularly, has been a revelation. The twenty first general decide within the 2023 Draft had a disappointing rookie season, however quietly had a top quality 2024 season with 711 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 15 video games. In 2025, Herbert believes he might really escape. 

Mark Sanchez and Justin Herbert mentioned Quentin Johnston’s emergence within the Los Angeles Chargers’ opening-night win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

“I am so glad for him,” Herbert mentioned of Johnston. “He is put in a lot work these final couple of years… I believe he is solely gonna get higher.”

Johnston’s continued enchancment was on show in Week 1. He caught 5 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Within the third quarter, he hauled in an important reception on a third-and-15 from midfield that arrange a fourth-and-1, which the Chargers transformed and changed into a landing that put them up 20-12. 

Herbert’s choice to go to Johnston in that state of affairs was a results of the belief the third-year receiver has earned, his quarterback mentioned. 

Herbert feels fairly comfy throwing to Johnston’s counterparts, Allen and McConkey, as properly. 

“Having Keenan and Ladd on the identical aspect, it is gotta be robust on the protection,” Herbert mentioned. 

Justin Herbert praised receivers Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey for his or her depth and the matchup issues they pose for opposing defenses.

McConkey, a second-round pick of Georgia in 2024, had a stellar rookie season, totaling 1,149 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was far-and-away essentially the most constant pass-catching possibility for Herbert, so including the wily Allen will take stress off McConkey and provides Herbert one other trusted goal. 

The sixth-year quarterback continues to be in search of his first AFC West title and playoff victory. A quiet, humble chief, he isn’t grabbing headlines like Mahomes’ Chiefs or the widely-adored Broncos. However, between his confidence within the Chargers’ roster, the ascension of Johnston and McConkey, and the stability of Allen and Alt, this could possibly be the season the Chargers overcome their rivals and Herbert achieves each of these fleeting accomplishments. 

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