As Justin Herbert was taken with the No. 6 overall selection in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, it's often easy to forget that he was not supposed to be the Bolts' QB1 as a rookie. But after a freak accident to veteran Tyrod Taylor, who was lost after just a week when a team doctor punctured one of his lungs, the Oregon alum slid in and simply won Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns.
And expectations for Herbert have been sky-high ever since.
The numbers have certainly been there. While he fell just 39 yards shy of setting the rookie record for passing yards, he went on to set new marks for the most through two, three, four, and five years, and would have set a new six-year mark back in January had Jim Harbaugh not sat him down for the regular-season finale. Nevertheless, Herbert has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 24,820 yards with 163 touchdowns against 58 interceptions. So, again, the numbers have been there.
But while he's put up these big numbers, earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections, and has taken the Chargers to the playoffs three times, Herbert has still yet to win one of those postseason games, losing in the Divisional Round each time. Still, though, the high expectations are still there for Herbert heading into the upcoming 2026 campaign. And if he plays during the regular season the way he did at training camp on Tuesday, those expectations are only going to get higher and higher.
Justin Herbert looked fantastic at Los Angeles Chargers training camp on Tuesday
It's always a treat when the Chargers return to San Diego, and Tuesday marked the first of two days in the old town before heading back to The Bolt later in the week. And Herbert certainly provided a treat for those in attendance.
Starting practice in 7-on-7 drills, the 28-year-old completed back-to-back 15-yard passes, the first to Quentin Johnston and the second to Ladd McConkey. He again hit Johnston for a first down on his third attempt of the afternoon, and then went back to McConkey with his fourth throw, hitting him for a 25-yard touchdown.
After backup Trey Lance stepped in for a series, Herbert came back in for two more throws, first hitting Johnston again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown and then finding tight end Oronde Gadsden for a first down on third-and-five.
Herbert is being a menace right now!! Torching the defense laser dots!! 6 for 6 and a touchdown strike to QJ!! pic.twitter.com/emH5mIoORw
— Lsbolts15 (@lsbolts15) August 4, 2026
Yes, 7-on-7 is different, and when the Bolts put on pads for the first time and ran 11-on-11, Herbert did finally throw his first incompletion of the day and even took a sack from superstar safety Derwin James.
But according to our guy on the ground, he still looked absolutely fantastic and connected on several more solid throws, including a few to Tre' Harris, who has some expectations of his own heading into his second season.
If expectations weren't high enough for Herbert and his entire unit, the fact that former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is now the Chargers' offensive coordinator only adds to that pressure. And that pressure is only going to amplify in the weeks and months to come. But Bolts fans should certainly be excited about what they've seen thus far.
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