Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh makes a bold statement about Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh clearly has no lack of confidence in quarterback Justin Herbert.

A former star for the Oregon Ducks, Herbert has proven time and time again that he was worth the No. 6 in the 2020 NFL Draft, but has unfortunately been on the wrong end of far too many frustrating losses, often through no fault of his own. Now in the first year under Harbaugh, the culture has changed and the Chargers find themselves squarely in the playoff mix, but the head coach made it clear while offering high praise that his star quarterback remains the driving force behind it. all.

During his meeting with the media on Wednesday, Harbaugh called Herbert “one of the best ever” in a statement that has already turned some heads.

“Enjoy it. He’s not only one of the best in the game right now, he’s one of the best ever,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t feel like I’m going out of my way to say that at all. … Everything you can say good about a quarterback and then some. Talent and effort, and just intangibles that are off the charts. Every metric you could have for a quarterback, tangible or intangible, he possesses at the highest level. It’s like being around greatness every day.”

Harbaugh, a one-time Pro Bowler who played quarterback for 14 years in the NFL, knows a thing or two about the position and has seen some of the league’s best players come and go. While his praise for Herbert certainly comes with a bit of bias, it’s clear he feels the former Duck is more than capable of leading the Chargers back to relevance.

So far this season, Herbert has completed 176 of 277 passes for 2,186 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception. He has added 41 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown. Currently in second place in the AFC West with a 7-3 record, the Chargers are on a four-game winning streak entering Week 12’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

During his four-year career at Oregon, Herbert completed 827 of 1,293 passes for 10,541 yards, 95 touchdowns and 23 interceptions to go along with 13 rushing touchdowns. His passing touchdowns remain second all-time in Ducks program history.

Harbaugh’s Chargers will face the Baltimore Ravens, led by his brother John Harbaugh, on Monday Night Football.