Chargers want Justin Herbert to be more like Aaron Rodgers

As Justin Herbert enters his second NFL season, the Los Angeles Chargers expect a MVP jump for 2021 .

Brandon Staley might be the new head coach, but the Los Angeles Chargers aren’t rebuilding. Instead, Tom Telesco approached the offseason with intentions to build around second-year quarterback Justin Herbert on a rookie deal.

What’s the ultimate hope for Herbert in 2021? Say reach Aaron Rodgers-level?

In a recent interview with The MMQB’s Albert Breer, Staley stated that when watching the two veterans play, it’s exactly what every quarterback should strive to be — an extra coach on the field.

“What makes those two guys [Brady and Rodgers] specifically unique is that you’re eliminating one of the variables in the equation,” Staley said. “When they don’t need the coach, when they are the coach, that’s a much more dangerous person to have to defend, because you’re not waiting for the coach to help them. They know how to help themselves. And that’s what I think we’re trying to achieve.

Chargers: Can Justin Herbert reach new heights in 2021?

A quarterback doesn’t go from rookie to All-Pro overnight, but Herbert’s first season as the heir apparent to Philip Rivers was impressive. Starting in Week 2, the former Oregon Duck never looked back on his way to resetting the record books. Herbert finished the season with 4,336 passing yards and a rookie-high 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

For his efforts, Herbert was named the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Chargers finished 7-9 on the campaign, ultimately leading to the firing of Anthony Lynn.

Staley knows that transforming into a Rodgers or Brady overnight is impossible. Still, this offseason, new Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has increased the offensive reps during OTAs for Herbert to improve on every type of pass.

“We put a lot on him because, most times in OTAs, maybe the starting quarterback gets 20 plays or something like that [per practice],” Staley said. “The way we were doing it, it was 65 to 75 plays in a script, which is a lot to prepare for. There was a lot of offense we put in.”

The Chargers have a roster capable of contending for a playoff spot. After spending the offseason fixing the offensive line, plus bolstering areas of the defense, an 11-win season quite plausible overall.

Herbert’s run in 2020 showed the Chargers have its next franchise quarterback. If he can take the leaps towards a three-time MVP level, is there a race for the AFC West title come season’s end?