Justin Herbert Shines in Espn's Top QB Rankings Amid Uncertainty
WHO:
chargers.com - Justin Herbert, Chargers quarterback
chargers.com - Mike McDaniel, new Chargers Offensive Coordinator
chargers.com - Khalil Mack, Chargers linebacker
chargers.com - Jeremy Fowler, ESPN reporter
WHAT:
chargers.com - Justin Herbert's 2025 season included 3727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 498 rushing yards.
chargers.com - Herbert was sacked 54 times in 2025, the second-highest total in the league.
chargers.com - Herbert faced a league-high 263 pressures during the 2025 season.
chargers.com - Herbert played the final month of the 2025 season with a fractured left hand.
chargers.com - An NFL personnel executive stated, "If you're picking quarterbacks to build around, you're still taking him pretty high," regarding Justin Herbert's value.
chargers.com - An NFC scout commented, "There's a reason the Chargers OC job was the best one available -- because of the quarterback," referring to the interest in Herbert's pairing with Mike McDaniel.
chargers.com - Herbert's 10 passing touchdowns from outside the pocket led the NFL last season.
chargers.com - Herbert faced 10 different starting offensive line combinations and more than 20 different five-man configurations during the 2025 season.
chargers.com - Khalil Mack stated, "Where would we be without 10? Oh, man. Ain't no telling, bro," regarding Herbert's impact on the team.
chargers.com - Mack described Herbert as "the most unique person I've seen at that position" over his 12-year career.
chargers.com - Herbert mentioned that his initial meetings with McDaniel were "awesome" and that they "talked about more than just football."
chargers.com - Justin Herbert was ranked No. 7 in ESPN's annual best NFL quarterbacks rankings.
chargers.com - The rankings were based on votes from more than 70 league executives, coaches, and scouts.
chargers.com - Herbert appeared on nearly 80% of the ballots.
chargers.com - Herbert recorded 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 498 rushing yards in the 2025-2026 NFL season.
chargers.com - Herbert was sacked 54 times in 2025, the second-highest total in the league.
chargers.com - Herbert faced a league-high 263 pressures during the 2025 season.
chargers.com - Herbert played the final month of the 2025 season with a fractured left hand.
WHERE:
chargers.com - The rankings and analysis pertain to the NFL, specifically the Los Angeles Chargers.
WHEN:
chargers.com - The rankings are part of ESPN's annual list, now in its seventh year.
chargers.com - Herbert is entering Year 7 in the NFL.
WHY:
chargers.com - Khalil Mack stated, "Just knowing his tenacity and his heart and the grit and resolve that he plays with … having that at the quarterback position, you don't see that often."
chargers.com - Mack added, "It's somewhat crazy but also somewhat remarkable and unbelievable," regarding Herbert's performance despite injuries.
chargers.com - The Chargers' interest in Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator is linked to the belief that he can "streamline some things for [Herbert], manufacture some layup first downs for him."
chargers.com - The interest in Herbert's pairing with Mike McDaniel stems from the belief that McDaniel can streamline Herbert's play and improve his performance.
HOW:
chargers.com - Herbert mentioned that his initial meetings with McDaniel were "awesome" and that they "talked about more than just football."
chargers.com - The rankings were compiled through a voting process involving league executives, coaches, and scouts.
Justin Herbert had an impressive 2025 season, throwing for 3,727 passing yards and 26 touchdowns while also rushing for 498 yards, despite facing a league-high 263 pressures and being sacked 54 times. Khalil Mack praised Herbert's tenacity and grit, noting how remarkable it was for him to perform at such a high level even while playing the last month of the season with a fractured left hand. Herbert himself described his initial meetings with McDaniel as "awesome," highlighting that their discussions went beyond just football.