Jim Harbaugh raves about Justin Herbert: 'He's a crown jewel'

Jim Harbaugh isn’t starting from scratch with the Los Angeles Chargers. For one, he already has a Pro Bowl quarterback. During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Harbaugh raved about Chargers QB Justin Herbert.

“He’s a crown jewel in the National Football League,” Harbaugh said. “I mean Justin Herbert walks up on you, [you’re] like, ‘OK. Alright, this is awesome.'”

It’s difficult to blame Harbaugh for his excitement. In the 2023 campaign, Herbert tallied 3,134 passing yards for 20 touchdowns while only tossing seven interceptions. Herbert only played in 13 games due to multiple fractured fingers.

While Herbert’s 2023 season was respectable, his career is what steals the show. Excluding this past season, Herbert has thrown for over 4,000 passing yards every year. In 2021, Herbert threw for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Standing at 6-foot-6, 238 pounds, Herbert can launch lasers past opposing defenses. Harbaugh is thrilled to aim Herbert in the right direction.

Jim Harbaugh has high hopes for Chargers under Justin Herbert

“The thing that’s jumping out is just this enormous talent,” Harbaugh said. “I’m waking up real early in the morning these days, going, ‘I gotta bring it.’ I gotta bring my A-game in every sense of the word. I want to get a coaching staff put together and hired that is gonna be worthy of coaching not only Justin, but Derwin and all the guys.

“This is a talented group that’s been assembled here, and that’s what’s gonna motivate. That’s what’s gonna drive. I’m really thinking about my accountability and just making sure that I’m ready, and the things that I tell him are gonna be exact because I’ve looked at it and watched it.”

Despite Herbert’s individual accolades, he hasn’t been able to find team success. In his four years in the NFL, Herbert has only recorded a 10-win season once. That season, the Chargers fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs.

If Harbaugh knows how to do anything, it’s win. With a national championship and Super Bowl visit under his belt, Harbaugh has seen success at every turn. He believes he can find similar success with the Chargers.

“It’s gonna be a team effort all the way,” Harbaugh said. “I’m excited about the challenge. Let’s see if I’m man enough and a good enough coach so that all [Herbert’s] hard work can be realized. I want to work really hard so that his hard work is going to be realized – Justin and every player on our football team.”