“Great arms don’t carry teams, great quarterbacks do”: Justin Herbert put on trial in new Gridiron Heights episode as Chargers QB faces familiar NFL debate (Image via Getty: Justin Herbert)
The 28-year-old signal-caller entered the NFL as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and quickly became one of the league’s most productive young passers. Since then, he has won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and earned two Pro Bowl selections. Herbert has completed 59.1% of his passes for 627 passing yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions through three games.
Because the Chargers began the 2026 NFL season with three consecutive losses, the episode’s comedic timing is especially relevant.
“Great arms don’t carry teams, great quarterbacks do” – that is particularly the question at the heart of Bleacher Report’s latest Gridiron Heights episode. The episode places Justin Herbert on trial and the Los Angeles Chargers under the scrutiny microscope in an outrageously unique fashion. The animated comedy targets the limitless list of reasons Herbert needs to succeed on the gridiron: a healthy right tackle, a healthy left tackle, an easier schedule, fewer fumbles, better receivers, a new offensive coordinator, an old offensive coordinator, positive thinking and, apparently, almost anything and everything other than accountability for the quarterback himself. The idea behind Bleacher Report’s new Gridiron Heights episode is extremely interesting and excruciatingly sarcastic. The satire arrives at a crucial point in Herbert’s career. Nevertheless, the question remains: has Herbert helped the Chargers as much as his individual production suggests? The Gridiron Heights’ comedy courtroom drama focuses on that exact gap between Herbert’s individual talent and the Chargers’ expected results. One joke probably centers on the idea that Herbert is defended by people who insist the quarterback merely needs more help.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines After watching the Gridiron Heights episode, one of the X users commented, “If you’re 0-3 and the quarterback is the one thing nobody’s allowed to blame, the elite question kind of answers itself. He has thrown for 25,447 yards and 166 touchdowns, along with 1,763 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, in 98 regular-season games, earning two Pro Bowl selections and the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His postseason record, however, remains 0–3. The Chargers had their last postseason win in the 2018 season! Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule .
Bleacher Report’s Week 3 quarterback report graded Herbert “D” after the Chargers’ loss to the Buffalo Bills. Especially the part where Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh almost pleads the fifth when he is asked for his impressions of Justin Herbert. Also, the part where a Los Angeles Chargers fan compares Herbert to Philip Rivers: “Maybe what we’re trying to say is we see his potential, but we just can’t have another Philip Rivers. That’s when Herbert turns the tables and questions the fan: “Answer me this, The Only Chargers Fan We Could Find, did Philip Rivers fail you, or did you fail Philip Rivers? The fan starts crying and admits, “We failed Philip Rivers! Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean Herbert was blaming the organization, front office, or fans for his individual franchise-face failure. But it sure as heaven raises questions about his NFL career. If not the past, then his present and future. The latest Gridiron Heights episode from Bleacher Report turns the ongoing NFL debate surrounding Justin Herbert into a courtroom comedy. The episode asks whether the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback is as good as advertised. The episode casts Herbert as a defendant, poking fun at the immense scrutiny he’s faced throughout his NFL career. The report also emphasized the team’s offensive struggles under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Herbert has also faced criticism for struggling to connect on deep throws. Despite having one of the league’s biggest arms, Herbert couldn’t connect with his targets on the gridiron. Great arms don’t carry teams; great quarterbacks do. There’s a difference. Still, his three-game start does not erase Herbert’s career production. The Gridiron Heights episode turned a familiar NFL discussion into a courtroom comedy, examining the visible contrast between Herbert’s individual numbers and the Chargers’ expected results. It has been seven years since he arrived, and they want a Super Bowl. Forget the big game – they want a postseason win, at least. Is Herbert avoiding the noise again? Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.