Former Oregon ducks Quarterback Justin Herbert and his Los Angeles Chargers are off to a 5-3 start in the 2024 season, despite Herbert being struck most of the year. charger trainer Jim Harbaugh He came out in defense of his franchise quarterback.

Jim Harbaugh calls out referees in defense of Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert He has been battling injuries all season. Herbert has had multiple ankle injuries but has yet to miss a start. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh criticized the way referees have not called roughing-the-passer penalties against Herbert.

“Does it seem like I’m complaining? Maybe? It could be,” Harbaugh told ESPN. “I think he’s not getting some of those calls when they should be called.”

In 2024, there has not been a single passer penalty assessed against a defender against Justin Herbert. This includes a play two weeks ago in which a Saints defender grabbed and twisted Herbert’s leg seconds after he threw the ball. This instigated a skirmish between the two teams. The Chargers had a big problem with this and rightly so. Herbert has been suffering from ankle injuries all season.

“It gets called most of the time, you know,” Harbaugh said. “Body weight on top of a quarterback.”

Even with the strong first half of the Chargers’ 2024 season, Herbert has continued to come under fire. He has been fired several times on six consecutive occasions. Harbaugh said he saw his quarterback take so many hits.

“I probably think about that more than anything else,” Harbaugh said. “His protection, his safety, there’s probably nothing I think about more than that.”

Herbert has always been known for being a quiet guy who doesn’t talk much to the referees. Harbaugh is filling the void for him.

Chargers need a healthy Herbert

Herbert has been considered one of the best quarterbacks since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately for Herbert and the Chargers, this hasn’t translated into many wins. The Chargers have only made the playoffs once during Herbert’s tenure. That resulted in a blown 27-point lead in a wild-card round loss in the 2022-23 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Herbert’s stats this season seem lower than in the past. However, under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers appear primed to make the playoffs.

They have an identity of toughness and handling of football. Herbert has limited turnovers and has thrown just one interception in eight games. Additionally, he still has the ability to control a game with his arm when necessary.

Jim Harbaugh has changed the culture of the organization. With him and Herbert, Chargers fans have good reason to worry about the future.