Jim Harbaugh believes Chargers’ Justin Herbert is one of the best executives in the NFL
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Jim Harbaugh believes Chargers’ Justin Herbert is one of the best executives in the NFL

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El SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new era in every way this year.

The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as the franchise’s new head coach, opened a brand new facility for the team and have 23 new players on their roster for Week 1. One constant, however, is starting quarterback Justin Herbert.

Herbert is entering his fifth NFL season with the Chargers, and it may be the first time since his rookie campaign that expectations for him or the team haven’t been high outside of their new home.

“We have the players. We just have to do our best and show what we can do,” Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston told USA TODAY Sports. “We have all the pieces we need in this locker room. We just have to go out and show it.”

The Chargers’ success this season will depend largely on Herbert’s effectiveness and health.

Herbert was placed on injured reserve and missed the final four games of last year’s regular season after breaking his right index finger. The Chargers lost their final four games without Herbert and fired then-head coach Brandon Staley as they limped to a 5-12 record.

In preparation for this season, Herbert was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, causing him to miss much of training camp and the team’s entire preseason. But Herbert said he is recovered and feeling 100 percent as the team prepares for its season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

“I feel a lot better,” Herbert said. “We’ve gotten through this and we’re moving forward.”

Harbaugh has been effusive in his praise for Herbert since he became the Chargers’ head coach. When Herbert returned to practice after his injury last month, Harbaugh joked that he heard the voices of angels.

When USA TODAY Sports asked Harbaugh Wednesday how Herbert has evolved as a leader entering his fifth season, Harbaugh described the quarterback’s work ethic and then referenced the elevator incident in August when Herbert and several Chargers players and traveling staff members were stuck in an elevator.

“One of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. From day one, he’s been a rock in every way. He’s the hardest worker, the tone setter, the strategist, the performer, the producer,” Harbaugh said. “He leads from the front. Going back to the elevator incident, it was no surprise that when 15 people got off the elevator, who was the last one out? Who let 14 other people get in front of him? He was the last one out, it was Justin Herbert. Either way, he’s probably the best leader I’ve ever been around.”

Herbert’s 17,223 passing yards are the most ever by a quarterback in his first four seasons. In his fifth season, the Chargers are starting a new chapter. But he remains the main character, and his performance and health will undoubtedly have a big impact on the team’s success this season.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Herbert said. “We know how last year went. We’re aware of where we went and how we got here. But we have to learn from it. We have to move forward and attack next year.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Website http://loconrepta.biz.id

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