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One of the biggest debates in the NFL every season is how Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert should be ranked among the best in the league. While he posts impressive numbers and has all the physical traits a team could dream of at the position, many of his detractors will point to his playoff success, or lack thereof.
Players around the league don't seem to give those opinions much weight. Herbert was ranked No. 39 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, which is a list generated by the players Herbert shares the field with. It's a big jump up for the former Oregon Ducks star after placing No. 56 on the list a year ago. Herbert has made the list in all six seasons of his career.
Last season, Herbert ranked ninth in the NFL with 3,727 passing yards and tied for seventh with 26 passing touchdowns. The Chargers were often in close games and needed to close out a win on offense, and Herbert often delivered. Most notably, Herbert evaded pressure and darted left before throwing a touchdown to longtime target Keenan Allen for a win over the Denver Broncos early in the season.
"That play still haunts me," Broncos defensive end Zach Allen said. "I mean, it's obviously fun going against the best, but when they make plays like that on you, it definitely, 20 or 30 years down the line, I'm going to remember that one."
The Chargers battled injuries all season long, especially along the offensive line. Starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both went down early on, and Herbert faced a league-high 263 pressures. However, while Herbert was running for his life, he picked up 498 rushing yards, the most in his career and the second-most among all quarterbacks in 2025.
The hope is that Herbert, aided by a healthy offensive line and a new connection with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, can put his physical talents to better use this season and finally notch his first playoff victory.
"Since I've been in the league, I feel like Justin Herbert is probably a top five athlete that I've ever seen," veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks said. "We know what kind of player he is. I think he's just getting warmed up."
Herbert miraculously led the Chargers to an 11-6 record, despite playing with a broken left hand as well. Unfortunately, the magic carpet ride came to an end in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots, but the expectations for Herbert remain sky-high going into 2026.
"It's scary, man. He makes it look effortless," Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain III said. "That's what he does on a consistent basis. So, much props to him."
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Chargers QB Justin Herbert leaps into top 40 on NFL Top 100 list
Continue reading...
Players around the league don't seem to give those opinions much weight. Herbert was ranked No. 39 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, which is a list generated by the players Herbert shares the field with. It's a big jump up for the former Oregon Ducks star after placing No. 56 on the list a year ago. Herbert has made the list in all six seasons of his career.
Last season, Herbert ranked ninth in the NFL with 3,727 passing yards and tied for seventh with 26 passing touchdowns. The Chargers were often in close games and needed to close out a win on offense, and Herbert often delivered. Most notably, Herbert evaded pressure and darted left before throwing a touchdown to longtime target Keenan Allen for a win over the Denver Broncos early in the season.
"That play still haunts me," Broncos defensive end Zach Allen said. "I mean, it's obviously fun going against the best, but when they make plays like that on you, it definitely, 20 or 30 years down the line, I'm going to remember that one."
The Chargers battled injuries all season long, especially along the offensive line. Starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt both went down early on, and Herbert faced a league-high 263 pressures. However, while Herbert was running for his life, he picked up 498 rushing yards, the most in his career and the second-most among all quarterbacks in 2025.
The hope is that Herbert, aided by a healthy offensive line and a new connection with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, can put his physical talents to better use this season and finally notch his first playoff victory.
"Since I've been in the league, I feel like Justin Herbert is probably a top five athlete that I've ever seen," veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks said. "We know what kind of player he is. I think he's just getting warmed up."
Herbert miraculously led the Chargers to an 11-6 record, despite playing with a broken left hand as well. Unfortunately, the magic carpet ride came to an end in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots, but the expectations for Herbert remain sky-high going into 2026.
"It's scary, man. He makes it look effortless," Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain III said. "That's what he does on a consistent basis. So, much props to him."
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Chargers QB Justin Herbert leaps into top 40 on NFL Top 100 list
Continue reading...
