Chargers center ups ante on hype for QB Justin Herbert

Many members of the NFL community expect big things from Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert now that Herbert has offensive guru Jim Harbaugh as his head coach.

Chargers center Bradley Bozeman previously played under offensive coordinator Greg Roman when both were with the Baltimore Ravens, and Bozeman was left impressed by how Herbert embraced Roman's offense during springtime workouts.

"He acts like he's been in the system for 10 years," Bozeman said about Herbert during a recent conversation with Eric Smith of the Chargers' website. "He dives so deep into the system and knew it so well before anyone else could even grasp it. It's been impressive to see him put people in the right positions and just elevate people around him."

The Chargers signed Herbert to a five-year, $262.5M contract extension last summer with the hope that he could emerge as a Most Valuable Player candidate as soon as January 2024. The former Oregon star ultimately needed season-ending surgery to repair an injury to his index finger in December, though, with the club later hitting something of a reset button with the hirings of Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz.

According to Pro Football Reference stats, Herbert finished this past regular season ranked fifth in the league among qualified players with a 64.1 adjusted QBR. Across 13 starts, he tossed 20 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

"He's a hell of a quarterback and you notice that before we even put on the pads yet," Bozeman added about Herbert. "The guy is so serious about what he does and I am all for that. It's been great getting to work with him and build that rapport. My goal was to come in and try and be as perfect as I could to earn that respect and have it be mutual. It's been a good start."

As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Chargers at +110 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming campaign. Los Angeles parted ways with playmakers such as wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen along with running back Austin Ekeler this offseason, so Herbert will need to quickly adapt to a new-look offense for the Chargers to get to where they want to be by Week 18.