Justin Herbert 'fired up' to play for Jim Harbaugh

Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert has finally shared his thoughts regarding his new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was hired in January after leading Michigan to an undefeated season and a national championship win this past college football season.

Harbaugh returns to the NFL with one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks leading his offensive attack. But on the flip side, Herbert inherits the most proven winner he’s ever had in a head coach for his professional career, with Harbaugh representing his third head man since his rookie season in 2020.

On The 33rd Team’s Chasin’ It, Herbert shared what his initial reaction was when he found out Harbaugh would be his next head coach.

“Fired up!” Herbert said. “He’s done such a great job at the NFL level, college level. He’s had success wherever he goes and you know he’s a competitor, he wants to win, and I’m really excited to play for him.”

Harbaugh has proven he can win at the college and pro level, and has even once been in Herbert’s shoes after playing quarterback for the San Diego Chargers for two of his 15 seasons in the NFL.

Along with successful head coaching stops at Michigan, Stanford, and the University of San Diego, Harbaugh last coached at the NFL level with the San Francisco 49ers between 2011 and 2014. Where he led San Fran to a 44-19 record, three NFC Championship births, and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

Chargers fans and Herbert alike are hoping that Harbaugh can help Los Angeles reach similar heights after finishing last season 5-12. As Herbert revealed what his first conversations with his new head coach entailed.

“Just talking about the offense, his vision for what the teal looks like, offense, defense. From the times that I have talked to him he seems like a competitor, he just wants to win and that’s definitely a guy you want to play for,” Herbert said.

Herbert has appeared in just one playoff game since the Chargers drafted him in 2020 despite being one of the league’s best young quarterbacks. Taking home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after breaking the rookie touchdown pass and completions records, throwing for 17,223 yards and 114 touchdowns in his 62 career games for the Chargers.

A broken index finger ended Herbert’s season prematurely last year in Week 14, but hopefully, in 2024 he can bounce back and help shift the culture in Los Angeles with a new head coach that he’s eager to play for.