L.A. Chargers Coach Jim Harbaugh Strange Comments On Quarterback Justin Herbert's Genes

Jim Harbaugh has mentored some major names in the NCAA and NFL ranks, and he believes that the former Oregon Ducks star and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has something special compared to the rest.

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) embrace after the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Before Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to media on Thursday, Sept. 12, he said that he went to the equipment staff and asked for a similar pair of the former Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert's sneakers. Harbaugh was then seen showing off his fresh new Nike running kicks during his recent press conference. He wants to be exactly like Herbert in every single possible way.

“There’s not a gene in his body that I wouldn’t immediately trade for."

- Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh catches the ball for quarterback Justin Herbert (10) as he warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

After 15 years as a quarterback in the NFL, Harbaugh turned to coaching to influence the next generation of athletes. He's been a quarterback whisperer over his whole career on the sidelines in both the collegiate and professional ranks. Herbert is just the latest in Harbaugh’s quarterback lineage that includes Stanford's Andrew Luck as well as San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith. Harbaugh believes that Herbert could be one of the best of the bunch.

There is still room for improvement after witnessing Herbert's performance in the 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Los Angeles' season opener. The former Duck finished with 144 passing yards and one touchdown, completing 17 of 26 completions as the ground game was the attack point for the Chargers.

Heading into his fifth NFL season, Herbert now stands with a below average 31-32 record as a starting quarterback. The former sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Eugene has still yet to win a playoff game in his career. Harbaugh knows that his competitor factor will change that stat this season.

“The top of that list is just how fierce of a competitor that he is. . . I want to be best friends with him. . . If you don’t love Justin Herbert, there’s something wrong with you.”

- Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert

A fully healthy and locked-in version of Herbert is the difference in how he's portrayed in the mind of Harbaugh. Under his new coach's tutelage, Herbert should be a much more vocal leader than he has been in the past.

"I love guys that love football. Guys that love football, they love me back. And there's not doubt Justin loves football. . . . The way he understands every nuance of the game and other positions, I want to be best friends with him."

- Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert

Jim Harbaugh knows how to fire up Justin Herbert 😂 pic.twitter.com/WDkaKy5PKm

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024

The Los Angeles Chargers now travel down to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. PT. Harbaugh hopes to not rely on running back J.K. Dobbins as much and more on the arm of Herbert to make winning plays.

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