Chargers' Jim Harbaugh: 'Not a Gene' in Justin Herbert's Body I Wouldn't Trade For

The biggest fan of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert might be his head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh told reporters Friday that he asked the Chargers equipment staff this week to give him the same sneakers Herbert wears, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

"There's not a gene in his body I wouldn't immediately trade for," Harbaugh said.

Herbert went 17-of-26 for 144 yards and a touchdown last Sunday to lead his team to a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Harbaugh's Chargers debut.

Harbaugh was effusive in his praise of Herbert during Friday media availability ahead of the Chargers' Sunday contest against the Carolina Panthers.

"I love guys that love football," Harbaugh told reporters. "Guys that love football, they love you back. And there's no doubt Justin loves football... he loves competing. He's such a fierce competitor.

"As a coach, the way he sees things, the way he understands every nuance of the position and the game and the other positions, man, I want to be best friends with him. And really, I can't imagine anybody, I cannot imagine anybody— If you don't love Justin Herbert, then there's something wrong with you."

Harbaugh hyping up the Chargers' quarterback is nothing new. During this offseason the former Michigan coach has praised both Herbert's athleticism, which Harbaugh said could allow the quarterback to succeed as a tight end or an edge rusher, and his brain, which Harbaugh described as a "computer chip" because of the "impressive" way he can process information.

Herbert has also complimented his new coach, who spent 14 years as an NFL quarterback between 1987 and 2000 and is now a frequent presence in the Chargers' quarterback room, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times.

"He's done such a great job asking questions, giving his input that we really feel comfortable with how we want this offense run," Herbert said about Harbaugh after last Sunday's win, per Nguyen. "We know that our quarterbacks are well prepared for the game."

Herbert is three seasons removed from his sole Pro Bowl campaign for the Chargers in 2021. Harbaugh will hope to help his quarterback return to that level of production as he leads Los Angeles into this weekend's road game.