Full Breakdown
Justin Herbert’s No. 39 Ranking Marks a New Offensive Chapter for the Chargers
8/4/2026, 12:26:24 AM
Core Event: Top-100 Placement and Season Outlook
The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Monday that quarterback Justin Herbert was ranked No. 39 in the NFL Top 100 Players list for 2026, his sixth consecutive appearance and the second-highest placement of his career. The ranking follows Herbert’s 2025 campaign in which he completed 66.4 % of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while also rushing for a career-high 498 yards and two scores.
Background & Context
Herbert entered his seventh NFL season after a Pro-Bowl-earning 2025 year that saw him endure a league-high 263 pressures and a fractured left hand in the final stretch. He finished ninth in passing yards and tied for seventh in touchdowns. His career total of 24,820 passing yards ranks second in NFL history through a player’s first six seasons, trailing only Peyton Manning.
The offseason brought two notable changes. Herbert became engaged to singer Madison Beer, describing the milestone as “incredible” and “life-changing.” Professionally, the Chargers hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s Dolphins posted the league’s second-lowest quarterback-pressure rate (29.5 %) and the fastest average time to throw (2.67 seconds) from 2022-25, improving on the Chargers’ previous 38.1 % pressure rate and 3.06-second release time.
Data & Statistics
- 2025 passing: 3,727 yards (9th league), 26 TD, 13 INT, 66.4 % completion, 7.28 yds/att.
- 2025 rushing: 498 yds, 2 TD.
- Pressure & sacks: 263 pressures (league-high), 225 total sacks since 2020, including a single-season record 54 sacks in 2025.
- Career passing yards: 24,820 (2nd all-time through six seasons).
- Offensive line 2026: Returns of left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt, plus additions Jake Slaughter (LG), Tyler Biadasz (C) and Cole Strange (RG).
Official Statements & Responses
The Chargers’ official social-media account responded to the ranking with the brief affirmation “Never a doubt.” Herbert noted that the first day of training camp felt “good,” highlighting faster releases and more timing-based routes aimed at up-field opportunities for receivers such as Quentin Johnston and Brenen Thompson.
Criticism & Opposition
No substantive, named criticism of Herbert’s ranking or the upcoming offensive transition appears in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're looking to master and be elite at everything that we do and being able to own the position in a new way,” — Mike McDaniel
- “It's good. ... There were a few reps today where you're playing in timing, and they're getting the ball where they have the opportunity to turn upfield and make something happen,” — Justin Herbert
What’s Next
The Chargers will use training camp as a “crash course” for Herbert to adapt to McDaniel’s faster, motion-heavy scheme before opening the season against the Arizona Cardinals in September. Implementing the new tempo will be a key factor in shifting the narrative from the playoff-season offensive struggles of the past two years.
