EL SEGUNDO — It’s all about connections.
Justin Herbert forged strong ones with wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and center Corey Linsley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi when he set Chargers records with 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns during the 2021 season.
Herbert’s second NFL season was something special, no question. But as the years have passed and he hasn’t approached his franchise records, there have been concerns about his connections with new faces around him. Nowhere was that more evident than his 0-3 playoff record.
After all, as of Friday afternoon, Allen remained unsigned for the 2026 season, Williams retired before training camp began last season, Linsley retired because of health concerns during the ‘23 season and Lombardi was fired after the Chargers’ 5-12 record in the ‘24 season.
Naturally, Herbert speaks about the connections he has established with Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris, Derius Davis and the Chargers’ other young wide receivers. He also talks about clicking with new center Tyler Biadasz and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
But the results remained to be determined as the Chargers entered their third day of training camp Friday. Their first preseason game is Aug. 13 against the Texans in Houston. Their season-opening game is Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.
So, there’s plenty of time on task, plenty of time to smooth out the wrinkles.
McDaniel is Herbert’s fifth offensive coordinator in his seven-season career, enlisted to unlock the best of Herbert after Greg Roman was fired two days after a listless AFC wild-card loss to the New England Patriots that generated only a Cameron Dicker field goal in a 16-3 defeat.
“I thought having a month off (between minicamp in June and the start of camp on Wednesday) was great to be able to look at our iPads, look exactly at everything that we needed to and go through it a second time (to start) camp,” Herbert said earlier this week of learning another new offensive system with some new receivers, plus a new center and a new coordinator.
“I think the guys have picked it up really quickly, and a lot of the rookies have, as well. So, that’s always a good thing. Definitely (good) to just go out there and play football. I thought that was great to see.”
Judging by the action in the opening days of camp, Herbert has a grasp on McDaniel’s up-tempo offense, adjusting to a new stance while in shotgun formation as well as new targets, including free agent tight ends Charlie Kolar, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, and David Njoku, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.
Herbert also has displayed pinpoint accuracy during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
That’s his comfort zone.
Taking him out of his comfort zone is McDaniel’s objective.
“I think that the toughest part is to really focus on all the little things and have those guys be able to ingrain that into their games so they’re not thinking about it when someone is trying to rip their heads off, so to speak,” McDaniel said. “The quarterback position is, arguably, the most difficult one in all of sports. The real challenge is everybody can focus on arm angle, base with ball placement and stuff, but how does that look when people are trying to tackle you?”
Above all, despite all the new faces or perhaps because of them, there appears to be a newfound sense of urgency among the Chargers. Back-to-back 11-win seasons and playoff appearances in the first two seasons with Jim Harbaugh as coach have merely laid the groundwork for what’s possible.
At least that’s the impression of some Chargers, including Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is participating fully after he suffered a season-ending knee injury during last year’s training camp. Eleven wins and a playoff berth simply aren’t good enough, according to Slater.
The Chargers want more.
“I think there’s always a sense of urgency,” Herbert said. “I think every year, you’re doing your best, working as hard as you can. I think the guys are focused and dialed in this year. I thought OTAs went great. Camp, I’m looking forward to all the work we’re going to put in. I think guys are really excited about it.”
O-LINE BATTLE
So far in the first week of training camp, the Chargers have rotated four players at the left guard position, attempting to fill the void created when standout veteran Zion Johnson departed as a free agent for a three-year, $49.5-million contract with the Cleveland Browns during the offseason.
Kayode Awosika, Trevor Penning, Trey Pipkins III and rookie Jake Slaughter have each taken their turns blocking for Herbert in team drills, slotted with Biadasz at center, Slater at left tackle, Cole Strange at right guard and Joe Alt at right tackle. They are locked in a compelling camp battle.
Awosika is likely to be the favorite to win the starting position, but McDaniel insisted the winner won’t emerge until after the Chargers begin to practice in pads, which won’t be until next week. Or perhaps it might be after they play one or more of their three preseason games.
“You can’t claim a lead player this early in the process,” McDaniel said.