Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is making it his mission to help quarterback Justin Herbert be immortalized as one of the best players in the sport’s history.
“I just woke up the other day and said ‘I got to get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame,’” Harbaugh said Friday on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
Harbaugh added, “You kind of process that. That would mean winning a couple Super Bowls. And there’d be a lot of people that would benefit. That’s a worthy goal. And I think it’s necessary that we get him surrounded with as many good football players to his level as possible.”
He acknowledged it’s unlikely that Herbert, who has passed for 21,093 yards and 137 touchdowns through five seasons, would echo his pursuit of a gold jacket and a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.
“Justin’s all about the team. He is not into any kind of accolades for himself,” Harbaugh said. “He would kick me in the shins if I said that to him.”
Harbaugh guided the Chargers to an 11-6 record in his first season with the franchise. Herbert battled through a nagging ankle injury to throw for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 65.9% completion rate in 2024. He rushed for 306 yards and two scores.
The Chargers finished second in the AFC West but lost to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. L.A.’s front office has been proactive in its quest to find more offensive weapons for Herbert to work with. While 2024 second-round draft pick Ladd McConkey provided an immediate impact, many playmakers stepped up behind him last season.
However, Harbaugh expressed excitement for his second year on the sideline after last month’s draft. The Chargers’ sideline boss mentioned he was fired up for the potential of first-round running back Omarion Hampton. The North Carolina product is projected to share a backfield with free-agent signing Najee Harris. L.A. averaged 110.7 rushing yards per game, finishing 17th in the NFL.
L.A. spent five of its nine draft picks on offensive players, which include Hampton, receiver Tre Harris, and tight end Oronde Gadsden.
Although Herbert is not likely to seek out individual accolades as his career rolls forward, his head coach expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to guide the star quarterback.
“I wake up every day trying to be worthy to be his coach and the rest of the guys on the team’s coach,” Harbaugh said.
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