Chargers' Justin Herbert just made his stance on KeAndre Lambert-Smith crystal clear

KeAndre Lambert-Smith has become the most talked-about LA Chargers rookie of the preseason. The fifth-round pick has emerged as a legitimate weapon in the passing game and got his first chance to play with Justin Herbert in a game setting on Saturday.

Herbert played the first preseason game of his career against the LA Rams and made it a point to quickly find Lambert-Smith in the passing game. Herbert delivered one of the best throws you'll see all year to hit Lambert-Smith perfectly in stride near the endzone.

Two plays later, Herbert tried connecting with the rookie in the end zone but the pass was broken up. While Herbert and Lambert-Smith would not connect again (Lambert-Smith caught a near touchdown later in the game), the star quarterback made it abundantly clear where he stands in relation to his rookie wideout.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert is clearly a big fan of KeAndre Lambert-Smith

That sounds a lot like a quarterback who likes his rookie receiver.

Herbert made it clear to fans that he already trusts Lambert-Smith by targeting him twice on that drive. And he made it clear behind closed doors that he trusts the rookie by outright telling him as such.

It's important to note that Lambert-Smith was the one who replaced Quentin Johnston as the X receiver when the 2023 first-round pick was knocked out of the game three plays in. Lambert-Smith got the nod over second-round pick Tre' Harris, likely because Lambert-Smith was a better schematic replacement based on the scripted first drive.

This could reveal both the order the depth chart and the Chargers' plans if Johnston is out of action leading into the 2025 season. Many would assume Harris is above Lambert-Smith on the depth chart, especially with how well Harris played on Saturday.

However, that no longer seems like it is undoubtedly going to be the case after Saturday's game. Herbert's explicit faith in Lambert-Smith only muddies those waters.

Either way, Herbert is in a great situation that is unlike the previous two seasons. The wide receiver room is robust with talent both young and experienced. Each wideout on the Chargers roster brings something slightly different, giving Herbert a comprehensive weapon set to attack defenses with.

And that great part about this depth is that different players can show up on different days. Some games the Chargers may need to lean on Lambert-Smith to get it done. Other days it may be Harris. Most days, it will be Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen.

Regardless, Herbert clearly trusts Lambert-Smith and that is the first step into building something truly special for the future.