There's always a lot of pressure that comes with being a first-round NFL draft pick, especially at the quarterback position.
That pressure intensifies when you take over under center for a franchise legend, which is exactly the position Justin Herbert was put into when the Los Angeles Chargers opted to let Philip Rivers walk into free agency following the 2019 campaign.
Taken by the Chargers with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft, the Oregon alum actually began his rookie season as QB2 but was thrust into the starting role in Week 2 after a team doctor inadvertently punctured one of Tyrod Taylor's lungs while administering a painkiller injection.
And while that's obviously not the way Herbert envisioned becoming an NFL starter, he undoubtedly took advantage of the situation and hasn't looked back since.
Herbert started the final 15 games for the Bolts that season and earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after completing 66.6% of his passes for 4336 yards and setting a new rookie record for touchdown passes with 31, breaking Baker Mayfield's previous mark of 27.
In 2021, Herbert not only earned his first (and still only) Pro Bowl selection, but he also became the first quarterback in Chargers history to throw for 5,000 yards, going for 5,014, while also setting a franchise single-season record with 38 touchdowns, surpassing the 34 thrown by Rivers in 2008.
He hasn't quite been able to duplicate those numbers since but has still averaged 3,914 yards and just under 23 touchdowns per season over the last three years.
Through his first five seasons, Herbert has thrown for 21,093 yards and 137 touchdowns in 79 regular-season games. And while fans obviously want to see him win a few more games (and get at least one playoff victory, of course), there's no getting around the fact that those are big-time numbers.
In fact, barring some sort of serious injury, the 27-year-old is set to make a little NFL history during the 2025 season, as he'll soon get himself into the top 100 all-time in both passing yards and touchdown passes. Let's have a quick look at what Herbert needs to do to make that happen.
Justin Herbert needs just 1,608 passing yards to move into 100th on the NFL's all-time list
With his 21,093 passing yards, Herbert resides in the 112th position but needs only 1,608 yards to surpass Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach, who currently holds the No. 100 spot at 22,700 yards. Here's how the list currently shakes out.
Rank | Player | Seasons | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
100 | Roger Staubach | 1969-1979 | 22,700 |
101 | Babe Parilli | 1952-1969 | 22,681 |
102 | Michael Vick | 2001-2015 | 22,464 |
103 | Carson Wentz | 2016-2024 | 22,410 |
104 | Danny White | 1976-1988 | 21,959 |
105 | Sammy Baugh | 1937-1952 | 21,886 |
106 | Jeff Blake | 1992-2005 | 21,711 |
107 | Neil O'Donnell | 1991-2003 | 21,690 |
108 | Bobby Hebert | 1985-1996 | 21,683 |
109 | Gus Frerotte | 1994-2008 | 21,291 |
110 | Jack Kemp | 1957-1969 | 21,218 |
111 | Jim Zorn | 1976-1987 | 21,115 |
112 | Justin Herbert | 2020-2024 | 21,093 |
If Herbert hits his career average of 267.0 yards per game, he'll move into the top 100 during the Chargers' Week 7 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
And if he hits that same average throughout the season, he'll end the year with 25,632 yards for his career, which would put him in the No. 78 slot all-time, which currently belongs to Jeff Garcia (25,537).
Herbert needs just 13 TD passes to move into the top 100 all-time
With his 137 touchdown passes, Herbert currently sits tied at No. 106 on the all-time list alongside Chicago Bears legend Sid Luckman.
As it stands now, he needs just 13 to move into the top 100. And as you'll see below, he'll be in a race with another current superstar and a fellow 2020 first-round pick to get there.
Rank | Player | Seasons | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
T100 | Daunte Culpepper | 1999-2009 | 149 |
T100 | Frank Ryan | 1958-1970 | 149 |
102 | Tobin Rote | 1950-1966 | 148 |
103 | Steve Beuerlein | 1988-2003 | 147 |
104 | Lynn Dickey | 1971-1985 | 141 |
105 | Joe Burrow | 2020-2024 | 140 |
106 | Justin Herbert | 2020-2024 | 137 |
As you can see, Herbert sits directly below Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and 2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, who's thrown 140 touchdown passes in just 69 career regular-season games.
Without significant injuries, both will undoubtedly surpass Daunte Culpepper and Frank Ryan, who are currently tied for 100th at 149 touchdown passes apiece.
Assuming Herbert hits his per-game average of 1.73, he'll get to 150 in the Chargers' Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.