Justin Herbert is famous for his rocket arm, dropping bombs downfield and hitting impossible targets. But this season, the Chargers’ star quarterback is doing something that has fans scratching their heads—he’s handing the ball off more than ever. Wait, what? The guy who shattered rookie passing records and has been torching defenses with his cannon now has to step back and let the running backs shine?
Yep, that’s the plan. And while it might seem like the Chargers are sidelining their biggest offensive weapon, this shift is all part of a bigger strategy. Herbert isn’t phased by his reduced role, and neither are his coaches. In fact, they see this run-heavy game plan as the key to unlocking even more success. After all, as they say, a solid run game can be a quarterback’s best friend. Let’s dive into how this approach is quietly helping Herbert—and the Chargers—dominate.
Embracing the Running Game
While Herbert’s stats haven’t jumped off the page through the season’s first two games, the Chargers’ run-heavy approach has been dominant. For the first time since 2012, they’ve opened the season with back-to-back wins, powered by a rushing attack that now ranks second in the league. And Herbert? He’s not bothered by the fewer passing attempts.
“My job as a quarterback is just to be a point guard,” Herbert said.
“To get my teammates the ball, to get us in the right looks. As long as I’m doing that, I’m doing my job”, He added.
It’s a dramatic shift from Herbert’s first four seasons when he set NFL records by throwing over 2,400 passes for 17,000+ yards. But this year, he’s taken a backseat to the run game, handing off more than ever while leading a more balanced attack.
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Greg Roman’s Influence On This
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is the mastermind behind this ground-heavy approach. Roman has a reputation for constructing dominant running games, with successful stints in San Francisco, Buffalo, and Baltimore. During his time with the Ravens, Roman’s offense ranked in the top three in rushing yards every year, including a record-setting 3,296 rushing yards in 2019, the same year Lamar Jackson won NFL MVP.
Roman’s philosophy? Pairing a strong running game with play-action passes, deep shots when available, and methodical check-downs. It’s a strategy designed to make defenses guess, and Herbert’s willingness to adapt makes it all possible.
“Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?” Roman asked when he joined the Chargers. Now, that vision is becoming a reality.
A Balanced Attack with Play-Action Potential
Through two games, Justin Herbert’s completion rate is solid at 67.4%, even slightly higher than his career average. However, his yards per completion have dipped, sitting at just six yards per pass, and he’s thrown for less than 200 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career. Still, he’s thrown three touchdowns, including a pinpoint pass to Quentin Johnston that reminded everyone why Herbert is one of the NFL’s best.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised Herbert’s ability to stay motivated: “That throw reminded everybody that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League.”
The plan is simple but effective. The Chargers want to get the run game rolling, then use play-action passes to catch defenses off guard. Roman explained it best: “We get the run game going, and the complementary play-action pass and the ability to throw the ball down the field when we can or just check it down with numbing repetition underneath. That’s what we’re chasing.”
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NFL Trends Favor the Run Game
Herbert isn’t the only quarterback seeing fewer passes this season. Running plays have steadily increased across the NFL. In 2019, the year before Herbert entered the league, teams ran the ball 42.8% of the time. Last season, that number crept up to 44.3%. This year, it’s up to 47.6%.
Roman has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to running the ball. In eight of his last ten seasons, his offenses have run more than they’ve passed. The Chargers are following suit, with over 60% of their offensive plays coming on the ground so far.
Justin Herbert: The Key to It All
While Roman’s system may seem to de-emphasize the quarterback, it actually requires a high football IQ to run efficiently. Herbert’s role may not involve slinging it deep as often, but he’s the brains behind the operation.
“We have so many checks and so many different things that we do,” said center Bradley Bozeman. “You got to have someone back there to be able to call that, to be able to recognize that, to identify it and to be able to get us going on the right page. He’s the biggest part of the whole operation. Without him, we’re kind of stuck in the mud.”
Even veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who joined the Chargers in a post-camp trade, acknowledged that Roman’s system is the most complex he’s ever learned. “It’s probably the most complex one I’ve learned,” Heinicke said, especially when it comes to the quarterback’s responsibilities in the run game.
Justin Herbert’s ability to handle Roman’s intricate scheme is what makes this offense click. According to quarterbacks coach Shane Day, Herbert’s work ethic is the real secret. “He just shows up and works harder than anybody else,” Day said. “What’s his magic? He works really hard at the game and wants to be the best.”
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