Justin Herbert has never had a problem proving he belongs among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Since entering the league, he’s shown he has every tool you could ask for in a franchise quarterback. His arm talent is among the best in football and he’s capable of making throws very few quarterbacks can. He’s consistently put up impressive numbers despite dealing with injuries around him, coaching changes, and rosters that haven’t always done him many favors. The one thing that’s missing from his resume though, is a playoff victory. Until that changes, it’s always going to be the first thing people bring up whenever his name is mentioned around the league
Heading into the 2026 season, however, there’s a legitimate reason to believe that narrative could finally change. The biggest difference isn’t necessarily Herbert himself, because he’s already proven what kind of quarterback he is. It’s everything around him. Under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have continued building an identity that doesn’t require Herbert to carry the offense every single week. Instead, they’re creating a more balanced football team that’s built to win in January, where running the football, protecting the quarterback, and playing complementary football become just as important as explosive passing plays.
Another reason for optimism is that Herbert has now experienced the highs and lows of postseason football. Every playoff loss has been frustrating, but those games have also given him valuable experience that many great quarterbacks needed before finally getting over the hump. Players like Peyton Manning and Matthew Stafford faced years of criticism before eventually changing the conversation around their careers with postseason success.
The Chargers also seem better equipped than they have been in recent years. Their offensive line has continued to improve, giving Herbert a better chance to stay comfortable in the pocket and make the throws that have made him one of the league’s most gifted passers. Additions like OC Mike McDaniel further this argument as well. A stronger running game should also take some pressure off the passing attack, forcing defenses to respect multiple aspects of the offense instead of simply trying to pressure Herbert on every passing down. When an offense becomes more balanced, it usually becomes much more difficult to stop, especially once the playoffs arrive.
Of course, winning in the AFC is never easy. Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson still stand in the way, making every playoff matchup a major challenge. But the Chargers no longer feel like a team that’s simply hoping to sneak into the postseason. They look like a roster that’s capable of competing with anyone if they play their best football, and that’s a significant difference from where they’ve been in previous seasons.
At some point, every great quarterback reaches the moment where the postseason narrative changes. One playoff win often leads to another, and suddenly the questions disappear. Herbert has heard the criticism long enough. Entering the 2026 season, everything appears to be lining up for him to finally put those conversations behind him. If the Chargers stay healthy, continue playing the physical brand of football Harbaugh wants, and Herbert performs the way everyone knows he’s capable of, this could very well be the year he earns that long-awaited first playoff victory.
