NFL Exec Feels Chargers' Justin Herbert is 'Underrated Now… He's Taken for Granted'

Despite his consistency, Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert has yet to break through to the elite tier at his position.

After Herbert came in at No. 7 on ESPN's list of top 10 quarterbacks, Jeremy Fowler spoke to an AFC executive who praised his steady play but made an interesting observation about how he's perceived around the league.

"He's always been a top-5-8 QB—accurate to all levels, athletic, sound decision-maker," the exec said. "It's almost like he's underrated now, in my opinion. He's taken for granted."

Herbert started all 17 games for the Chargers in 2024 and threw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and a career-low three interceptions. He helped lead Los Angeles to an 11-6 record and a playoff appearance, though the team lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round, dropping his career postseason record to 0-2.

Herbert's lack of playoff success undoubtedly plays a major factor in holding him back from the upper echelon of quarterbacks. Still, Fowler pointed out that he's a clutch performer with 15 game-winning drives, the most from any signal-caller drafted in 2020 or later.

The Chargers are entering their second year under head coach Jim Harbaugh, so Herbert could be in for an even bigger year as he gets more comfortable in the offense.