Justin Herbert faces brutal criticism as Chargers go 0-7 after (Getty Images)
Justin Herbert is having the worst season of his career, and the Chargers are 0-7. Through seven games, he is averaging under 200 passing yards with a 69.3 passer rating and a league-high 10 interceptions. He averaged more than 225 passing yards a game and kept his passer rating above 93. Alt and Rashawn Slater are solid at tackle, but Herbert is pressured on 24.5% of his dropbacks, seventh highest in the league. Slaughter, Cole Strange and Logan Taylor have combined to allow four sacks and 32 pressures. Only one has topped 1,000 yards under Hortiz, McConkey in 2024. Herbert’s 7.8 drop rate is the league’s highest, and no Chargers receiver has reached 300 yards this season.
He has missed throws and misread coverages, and he deserves blame for that. But the offense around him is struggling too. New coordinator Mike McDaniel is running a scheme that does not suit his quarterback, and general manager Joe Hortiz has not given him enough help on the line or at receiver. Herbert is as much a symptom as a cause. Justin Herbert’s first six seasons were steady. This year, both numbers have fallen to career lows. The interior line shows the cost. Receivers are another problem.