For the past five-plus seasons, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been one of the most prolific passers in the NFL. After just falling short of breaking Andrew Luck's rookie record for passing yards in his OROY-winning campaign in 2020—only 39 yards short, to be exact—Herbert has since set new league records for the most passing yards through two seasons, three seasons, four seasons, and five seasons.
And with the Oregon alum having already thrown for 2,390 yards in the Bolts' first nine games of this 2025 campaign—which ranks second behind only Daniel Jones' 2,404—he's now racked up 23,483 for his career, thus putting him in a position where he only needs 1,403 to break the six-season record currently held by Peyton Manning (24,885).
But Herbert's right arm is no longer the only thing opposing defenses have to worry about, as the 27-year-old is utilizing his legs far more than he ever has, so much so that his 305 rushing yards are just one shy of the career-high 306 he amassed a season ago.
And not only that, those 305 rushing yards are also the most by any quarterback in the NFL this season, just ahead of Justin Fields (288), Patrick Mahomes (285), and Josh Allen (280). Anybody have Herbert leading all QBs in rushing yards on their first-half bingo card? Probably not. Now, to be fair, Herbert has appeared in two more games than Fields and one more game than Allen.
And let's get real; things might be different had Lamar Jackson not missed several weeks with a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, things are what they are, and Herbert even ranking in the top five would have been considered a wild prediction at the start of the season.
Justin Herbert says his improved ankles have helped become a more mobile quarterback
Some of Herbert's success as a runner can undoubtedly be linked to the fact that he's basically been forced to take to the ground more often, given the injuries to running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, not to mention all the injury issues on the Chargers' offensive line, which have led to a barrage of broken plays. However, during a recent interview with The Escapist, Herbert says he's actually emphasized running the ball a bit more, and that it's been easier for him to do so because he's not dealing with the ankle issues that hindered him at times last year.
"Last year I had two high ankle sprains, and so I was a little limited with my mobility,” Herbert said. “I wasn’t really able to play the way I wanted to. I think this year—defenses do a great job of covering downfield. If everyone’s covered downfield and you got to go convert a third down, you’re going to have to use your legs and go get it. I think we’ve done a good job of that. We’re playing at our best when the run game is good, pass game, play action, and I’m able to scramble for some yards. I think I’ve done a good job of taking care of my body and making sure I can go get it."
Herbert clearly knows he's not the most agile signal-caller in the world, rating his mobility a five out of 10. He also knows he's at his most dangerous when passing from the pocket, just as two of his favorite all-time QBs were, those being the aforementioned Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. But just as those two did throughout their legendary careers, Herbert will do whatever is necessary to help his team win.
"I think it’s more so just playing to your position and understanding that if I can go get a first down with my legs, I’m going to do everything I can to do it, and making sure I’m taking care of my body."