T
he Los Angeles Chargers are enjoying a very strong start to the 2025 season. Despite enduring a slew of injuries at several key spots, the Chargers are 7-3 and in second place in the AFC West– in a very good position to make a run at their second straight playoff appearance. And while the Chargers have been playing well in all phases, particularly on defense, it is the performance of quarterback Justin Herbert that has The Bolts sitting pretty through the first 10 games.
Having 2,610 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, Herbert has not looked quite as good as he did last season– where he threw 23 touchdowns to only three interceptions– but has still managed to have the Chargers offense playing like a juggernaut. Even with the rest of the league seeing very good quarterback play, Herbert is still among the best. In fact, Herbert even has some putting him in the MVP conversation– with wide receiver Ladd McConkey voicing his opinion that Herbert should be in the mix for the NFL’s most prestigious award.
McConkey Has Herbert’s Back
Since head coach Jim Harbaugh took over the reins of the Chargers, Herbert got even better. Posting his first 100.0 or better passer rating last season, it is evident that Herbert has grasped Harbaugh’s system. This year, Herbert’s numbers may be down, but he still has the Chargers offense humming despite injuries to several key players– including seeing both his left and right tackle in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt suffer season-ending injuries. Because of that, McConkey hopes that Herbert’s name starts popping up in the MVP race come the end of the season.
“I’m telling you, he’s a stud,” McConkey said. “I don’t know what else he needs to do. He’s out there balling. I mean, he’ll never say it. That’s not the type of guy he is. He’s not going to be like, ‘Oh, why aren’t I getting this, getting that.’ If we’re winning football games, I think that guy is going to be happy. He just needs to keep playing how he’s playing, and it’s all going to work out just OK for him.”
Currently, Herbert ranks second in the NFL in passing yards and is tied for third for passing touchdowns. And what makes matters even better are that the Chargers are currently riding a three game winning streak after starting the season at 4-3, beating the Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers in consecutive weeks.
Herbert’s Expanded Skillset in 2025
As good of a passer as Herbert has been, he has also been very good with his legs. Leading all quarterbacks with 324 rushing yards, Herbert has forced defenses to stay on their toes and even though he has tried to lower his interception numbers, he has still looked very much like the type of player ready to lead his team to the promised land. When it comes to his connection with McConkey, it has been on point since the moment McConkey was drafted– with the second year wideout finishing with over 1,100 yards last season and already having 631 receiving yards this season.
“It’s great. Justin’s a great dude,” McConkey said when asked about his relationship with Herbert. “Being able to come in year two and us being able to just feed off each other on the field, knowing what he wants to expect and how he wants me to run this route, what spot he wants me out. Speed it out, slow it down, or whatever. I feel like we’re getting better by the week and keep it rolling.”
Coming off of their win over the Steelers, the Chargers’ next game will be on Sunday, Nov. 16 when they hit the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 10 a.m. (PST) kickoff. The game will air on CBS in select markets.
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