Justin Herbert

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	INT	RTG
Career		95	24,820	163	58	96.3
2025		16	3,727	26	13	94.1
2024		17	3,870	23	3	101.7

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The C Contract Value Index on Justin Herbert's deal stems from how the cap hit lines up against on-field output. At $52.5M AAV over five years, Herbert is commanding elite-tier quarterback money—a reflection of his Offensive Rookie of the Year pedigree and career passer rating that places him in the upper echelon of the position. Yet his steady B+ performance grade reveals a disconnect: he's a franchise-caliber talent operating in a system that has struggled to consistently elevate around him, a gap the recent roster moves—safety Derrin James, offensive line signings, and depth pickups—suggest the organization is actively working to close. At 28 years old in his sixth season, Herbert is locked into his prime earning window, but the five-year commitment leaves limited financial flexibility if the Chargers' supporting cast doesn't materialize as intended. The media narrative remains bullish—early OTA reports praised his command, and head coach Jim Harbaugh's visible support has insulated him from scrutiny—but the A sentiment grade masks an underlying reality: the organization is reinforcing around him precisely because the current structure hasn't yet delivered playoff success to justify his salary tier. The CVI reflects this tension: Herbert's talent is unquestionable, but whether the Chargers can build a consistently competitive roster while managing his cap commitment remains the open question as the regular season approaches in September.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Justin's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Justin Herbert, the 2020 first-round talent who has established himself as a franchise cornerstone for Los Angeles, continues operating as a reliable starting quarterback despite a recent performance dip. Over six seasons and 95 career games, Herbert has compiled a 96.3 career passer rating and 66.5% completion percentage, metrics that place him solidly in the upper-middle tier of NFL starters. His current C+ trajectory through 2025, following similar grades in 2024, represents a notable step back from his elite rookie and sophomore seasons but doesn't erase a body of work that remains above league average. Herbert's arm talent and decision-making remain his calling cards, evidenced by his 94.1 passer rating this season, comfortably above the 87.79 NFL average. His 7.28 yards per attempt and 232.9 passing yards per game both exceed league benchmarks, and he continues adding a secondary rushing dimension with 31.1 yards per game on the ground. However, consistency has become the concern—his completion percentage of 66.4%, though respectable, sits closer to NFL average than the elite 82.21 threshold, while his touchdown efficiency at 5.08% suggests occasional struggles in the red zone relative to his career standards. Looking ahead, Herbert's next season will prove critical in determining whether this represents a temporary plateau or a structural decline. The Chargers' commitment to their quarterback remains unwavering, but the recent downward trend demands stabilization through improved supporting cast execution and offensive line play.

How Justin Compares at the Position

Justin Herbert ranks 12th of 107 graded quarterbacks by performance. That slots Justin between Sam Darnold (A-) just ahead and Joe Burrow (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Justin Herbert draws an A sentiment grade as the Los Angeles Chargers narrative reflects his on-field role and the organization's support structure around him. Media coverage has painted a picture of a franchise quarterback operating in a healthy, trusting environment—early OTA reports highlighted sharp, confident play, and when Herbert took a voluntary absence to support his partner's concert tour, head coach Jim Harbaugh's openly supportive reaction effectively neutralized any narrative around commitment or professionalism, framing the episode as evidence of organizational culture rather than a red flag. That positive framing stands in notable contrast to his steady B+ performance grade, a gap that reveals the media is grading Herbert on talent and circumstance rather than pure production—a generous posture that reflects how much goodwill he carries as a former Offensive Rookie of the Year with a career passer rating near 96. Recent offseason moves, particularly the signings of offensive lineman Kayode Awosika, Cole Strange, and running back Kimani Vidal alongside safety Derrin James, signal the organization's awareness that Herbert's supporting cast requires reinforcement, though criticism of the overall draft execution and the trade of the 55th pick suggest patience with front-office decision-making is thinning even as faith in Herbert himself remains intact. At 28 with the regular season four months away, Herbert remains one of the most narratively protected quarterbacks in the AFC—the public isn't losing confidence in him, but the disconnect between his elite individual standing and the team's ability to build around him is becoming harder to ignore.