Chargers News: Justin Herbert Shares Perspective on Aggressive 4th Down Calls

Will the Chargers go all in on fourth down once again?

The 2021 Los Angeles Chargers failed to make the playoffs, but they were among the most exciting teams in the league. With new head coach Brandon Staley, the team had an aggressive approach as they weren’t hesitant to go for it on 4th down many times. 

It wasn’t close; Staley was the most aggressive head coach in the league in 2021. He went all-in, going for 34 fourth-down attempts in 2021, which was tied for third in the league. However, 2022 was a different story; Staley was more conservative. Staley and the gang attempted 29 out of 145 total fourth downs in 2022, which is a 20% attempt rate down from 2021, in which they went 28.1%. 

2023 will be more of the same as 2022, or will it be? Chargers star QB Justin Herbert spoke with the media and was asked if they will go back to their 2021 ways. 

“Given the situation, I think everyone’s different, so we take every situation as they come and be practical about it. Obviously, be aggressive but be smart at the same time. That’s Coach Staley's decision and if he says we're rolling then we're rolling."

(via Justin Herbert)

2021 Staley may be returning if the Chargers can prove to stay healthy and have the personnel intact to get it done. 

The 39-year-old coach said it himself to the 'Guilty as Charged' Podcast that last season's injuries set himself and the team back from going for it on 4th down. 

Brandon Staley pointed to the injuries on offense and the improvement on special teams as factors that led to a more conservative approach on 4th downs in 2022.

— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) January 18, 2023

If LA can stay healthy, expect a lot more fourth-down attempts and a lot more wins in that column.