NFL DC Says Justin Herbert 'Should Have Had More Accolades' Entering 7th Chargers Season

Many may view Justin Herbert as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but at least one defensive coordinator in the league believes it's time he starts living up to that billing.

"How long has he been in the league now?" the defensive coordinator asked of the Los Angeles Chargers signal-caller in Tuesday's quarterback tier piece from Mike Sando of The Athletic. "They've never won a playoff game. I get it, but, like, if you're the guy, at some point, I feel like they've been sniffing around enough. He should have had more accolades at this point."

Herbert is listed in tier two in the piece alongside players such as Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff and Drake Maye.

In fact, Jackson, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are the only quarterbacks ranked ahead of him, underscoring the overall respect level he still receives around the league.

Still, the defensive coordinator may have a point.

Los Angeles selected Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft, and individual accolades have not been a problem. He has an Offensive Rookie of the Year, two Pro Bowls and three seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards on his resume. He even threw for more than 5,000 yards during the 2021 campaign.

However, he is 0-3 in three career playoff starts while some of the players ahead of him such as Mahomes, Stafford and Burrow have either won Lombardi Trophies or been to the Super Bowl.

The Chargers impressed last season on the way to an 11-6 record, but they once again fell short in the playoffs with a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots. While the offensive line was a significant problem and didn't give Herbert much time, it also isn't unreasonable to expect a top-six quarterback to put up more than three points in a playoff game.

After that unceremonious exit, there is more pressure on Herbert to turn the corner this season and find some playoff success.

If he does, perhaps he will be considered a tier one quarterback at this time next year.