Justin Herbert's Frustration with Roughing the Passer Calls

In the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 11 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed significant frustration over officiating, particularly regarding roughing the passer penalties. Herbert, known for his stoicism, displayed uncharacteristic emotion after being hit below the knees by Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. This incident highlighted ongoing concerns about how Herbert is officiated compared to other quarterbacks in the league.

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Herbert's situation is not unique; many quarterbacks face challenges in drawing roughing the passer penalties. Former NFL quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Josh McCown, along with current players like Tua Tagovailoa and Matthew Stafford, emphasize the need for a strategic approach when interacting with officials. Ryan, who holds the record for the most accepted roughing penalties in NFL history, noted that credibility plays a crucial role in how officials respond to players' appeals for calls.

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Despite Herbert's calm demeanor, he has received two accepted roughing the passer penalties this season, ranking him second in the league. Since entering the NFL in 2020, he has accumulated eight such penalties, placing him among the top quarterbacks in this statistic. Harbaugh has previously argued that Herbert's size and demeanor may lead to him being overlooked by officials, comparing him to NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal in terms of how his physicality affects calls.

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The inconsistency in officiating has drawn criticism from various players and analysts. For instance, after a hit on Herbert in a previous game against the Cleveland Browns, Harbaugh publicly questioned the fairness of the officiating. Additionally, a recent hit by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman BJ Green II on Herbert, which resulted in a controversial roughing call, sparked debate about the clarity of the rules governing such penalties. Former linebacker J.J. Watt expressed frustration over the perceived ambiguity of the roughing rule.

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Herbert has maintained that arguing with officials often yields little benefit. He stated, "If I make a big deal out of it, odds are they're not going to call it." Despite his frustrations, he acknowledges the officials' role in the game, saying, "It's part of the game and they've got a job, too." Harbaugh, however, has suggested that more vocal advocacy from Herbert could be beneficial, indicating that the team would support him in lobbying for calls.

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• “I [complain] more than Justin does,” — Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, Los Angeles Chargers

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As the Chargers prepare for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the discourse surrounding Herbert's treatment by officials continues. While he may have shown a rare outburst of frustration, the broader conversation about how quarterbacks advocate for themselves and the implications of officiating standards remains a critical topic in the NFL.

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