Justin Herbert's Struggles Analyzed by NFL Insider Amid Chargers' 0-3 Start to Season

Through three games, quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers offense has come nowhere close to meeting the preseason expectations that were heaped on the unit following the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano spoke this week to an anonymous NFL evaluator, who told him everything looks "difficult and exhausting" for Herbert amid the Chargers' 0-3 start.

Graziano added that he believes Herbert has appeared "confused and overwhelmed" by what he has been tasked with doing in McDaniel's offense.

Herbert is completing just 59.1 percent of his passes for 627 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions, and the Chargers are already in dire straits as it relates to vying for a playoff spot.

They lost what were thought to be two highly winnable games against the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders to start the season before going on the road and falling 24-16 to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 despite the L.A. defense forcing five turnovers.

The Chargers only turned the ball over once, but it was a costly one, as Herbert was picked off on a third-and-5 deep in Buffalo territory while leading by three points in the fourth quarter.

▶️ Full Chargers-Bills Recap

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Buffalo went ahead with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, giving the Bills a lead they would never relinquish.

Given what he accomplished early in his tenure as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, it was widely expected that McDaniel would work wonders as Herbert's OC.

The Dolphins ranked sixth in total offense and 11th in scoring in 2022, and first in total offense and second in scoring in 2023 with McDaniel at the helm.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a career year under McDaniel in 2023 as well, leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and throwing a career-high 29 touchdown passes.

However, it should be noted that Tua had the benefit of electric athletes all around him, including wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and running back De'Von Achane.

Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Omarion Hampton have not come anywhere close to replicating what Hill, Waddle and Achane brought to the table, although Herbert hasn't held up his end of the bargain either.

There isn't much going right for the Bolts' offense right now, and things don't figure to get any easier, as matchups with the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens are on tap over the Chargers' next six games.