The LA Chargers are blessed to have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert. Having an elite quarterback is the first step to being a Super Bowl contender and Herbert has more than earned an elite tag.
With quarterbacks being so important for the success of the league, there is also an added benefit of getting favorable officiating with a franchise quarterback. Quarterbacks have been getting protected more and more in the sport and there is no denying the fact that elite quarterbacks get the benefit of the doubt.
Elite quarterbacks who aren't Justin Herbert, that is. For some reason or another, the Chargers seem to always be on the losing end of a controversial call, especially when Herbert is involved. The referees even swallow their whistles when if Herbert gets gator-rolled by a defensive lineman (who was later fined for the same play).
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is sick of seeing his quarterback not get the same treatment as other quarterbacks. Harbaugh made his feelings known about the officiating around Herbert without outright bashing the officiating (to avoid a fine from the league).
"Does it sound like I'm complaining? Maybe? I could be. I think he doesn't get some of those calls when they should be called."Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh calls out inconsistent officiating on Chargers' Justin Herbert
This is not a case of a head coach being biased for his own guy. Referees have not called a single roughing the passer call in Herbert's favor this season. Herbert's ability to evade pressure with elite pocket presence does contribute to that, but it is still an outlier that no team has been flagged for a single hit on Herbert.
It goes deeper than just getting an extra 15 yards. Herbert's health is the biggest variable for the Chargers' success not just in 2024 but in the future as well. If referees are not calling Chargers games the same as others it puts Herbert in a more dangerous position.
Herbert's injury history has been rather extensive in recent seasons as well. The star quarterback's 2023 was ended prematurely due to a finger injury while his 2024 started on a rough note due to a plantar fascia injury and a sprained ankle.
The last thing the Chargers need is for either of those injuries to be aggravated. Or even worse, for another injury like the last two years that stunts Herbert's production.
Hopefully, the officials take Harbaugh's not-so-subtle criticism into account and give Herbert the same treatment as other star quarterbacks in the league.