Unfair action against Justin Herbert? Los Angeles Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh responds

Former Oregon ducks quarterback Justin Herbert and his Los Angeles Chargers are off to a 5-3 start to the 2024 season, despite Herbert whipped most of the year. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh came to the defense of his franchise quarterback.

Jim Harbaugh calls referees in Justin Herbert’s defense

Justin Herbert has been struggling with injuries all season. Herbert has had multiple ankle injuries but has yet to miss a start. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh criticized the way the referees didn’t call for roughing the passer penalties against Herbert.

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

In 2024, no passing penalty has been called against a defenseman against Justin Herbert. This includes a play from two weeks ago in which a Saints defender grabbed and twisted Herbert’s leg seconds after throwing the ball away. This led to a skirmish between the two teams. The Chargers had a big problem with this, and rightly so. Herbert has been struggling with ankle injuries all season.

“He usually gets called, you know,” Harbaugh said. “Body weight on top of a quarterback.”

Even with the Chargers having a good first half of the 2024 season, Herbert continued to get peppered. He has been fired multiple times in six straight. Harbaugh noted that he saw his quarterback take so many hits.

“I probably think about it 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 as a quiet man who is not known for talking much to referees. Harbaugh fills the void in front of him.

Chargers need a healthy Herbert

Herbert is seen as one of the best quarterbacks since being taken 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 made the playoffs just once during Herbert’s tenure. That resulted in a 27-point lead in a wild card round loss in the 2022-2023 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The stats for Herbert this season appear to be subpar compared to what they have been in the past. However, under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers appear poised to make a playoff run.

They have an identity of toughness and running the football. Herbert has limited turnovers and has thrown just one interception in eight games. Plus, he still has the ability to take over a game with his arm if necessary.

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