Hall of Fame QB uncovers real reasons for Chargers star Justin Herbert’s massive fall from grace

The Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel pairing has been disastrous.

The Chargers quarterback looks lost through the first five weeks of the season in a new system under McDaniel. Hall of Famer Kurt Warner broke down what he’s seen from Herbert as the Chargers remain winless heading into Week 6.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers react after a sack during the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Getty Images

“Again, this is all speculation here, but when I watch Justin Herbert the last couple weeks drop back and throw the ball right to a defender numerous times, we’re all looking at these plays like what is he looking at? How could he not see that defender that’s right where he threw it? He hit him in the numbers,” Warner said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

“And I wonder sometimes if that’s Justin not focusing on defenders and looking at his receiver going, ‘OK, I gotta make this throw to the receiver.’ And all of a sudden, as he’s making the throw, the defender is sitting right there because he’s not focusing on defenders and he’s focusing on his receivers.

“Again, speculation but I’ve seen it a lot in pure progression offenses where guys are looking at their guys as opposed to the opposing team’s guys. And they’re a bit oblivious.”

Herbert has five touchdowns to seven interceptions on the season and has completed only 59.4% of his passes. He’s been sacked 17 times, putting Herbert on pace to be sacked 58 times in 2026.

To put the numbers in context, Herbert was sacked a career-high 54 times last season. He’s on pace to break that number this year.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) enters the game in the first half of an NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks. AP Photo/Ben VanHouten

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