--- title: "Justin Herbert's Status as Elite Quarterback Questioned" url: https://newscentral.site/justin-herbert-s-status-as-elite-quarterback-questioned/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-10-08T14:56:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-08T15:37:24.732Z id: 40525366-f1c1-46c1-b40f-f9ebd5cbbc07 source: "CBS Sports \n https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/justin-herbert-is-not-even-one-of-the-10-best-quarterbacks-nfl/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/justin-herbert-s-status-as-elite-quarterback-questioned/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Justin Herbert's Status as Elite Quarterback Questioned Herbert's struggling performance this season has sparked debate about his standing among NFL peers. Justin Herbert's status as an elite quarterback has been called into question after his struggling performance this season. The Los Angeles Chargers are now 0-4 following a loss in Seattle, and Herbert's play hasn't shown significant improvement despite the team's efforts to spark him. Coach Jim Harbaugh had high praise for Herbert early on, but recently suggested he needs to "be better. This statement has sparked debate about whether Harbaugh's tough love was genuine or an attempt to motivate his struggling quarterback. The Chargers' 0-3 start before Sunday's loss suggests that Herbert still has a long way to go. The term elite" is often subjective and can be open to interpretation, but one thing is clear: it's not just about current performance. A quarterback's entire body of work should be considered when evaluating their potential as an elite player. This includes past accomplishments, physical abilities, and intangibles like leadership skills. Despite Herbert being viewed as a top-10 quarterback entering the season, his credentials are now under scrutiny. Industry experts, coaches, executives, and scouts all shared this opinion before the start of the year, but it's time to reassess his standing based on his performance thus far. Herbert is not alone in facing questions about his status; several other quarterbacks have been scrutinized for their abilities. However, the focus here will be on Herbert's credentials and where he stands among his peers in the NFL. A fresh evaluation of Justin Herbert's skills seems warranted after a recent stretch of games. In today's fast-paced corporate world, constant re-examination is par for the course, and this particular period has sparked renewed interest in assessing Herbert. While Herbert boasts impressive talent and has put up impressive numbers in the past, his lack of playoff wins and his team's 0-4 record this season raise questions about his overall performance. A closer look at his resume reveals that it is more mediocre than exceptional over the past five seasons. In fact, his achievements are comparable to those of Trevor Lawrence rather than top-tier quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford or Joe Burrow. Evaluating a quarterback's impact on their team's scoring chances is crucial in determining their value. One effective metric for doing so is EPA per dropback, which considers factors such as moving the chains, avoiding negative plays, and making big plays while taking into account the game situation. This measure provides a comprehensive view of a quarterback's production. A look at Herbert's production over the years reveals that he has consistently put up impressive numbers, earning him praise early in his career. His record-breaking passing yards through three seasons is a testament to his talent, but a closer examination of his performance year by year raises questions about his overall impact on the game. His performance in recent seasons has been a subject of scrutiny, and statistics reveal that he peaked in his first two years. Since then, he has consistently ranked outside the top 10 in this particular efficiency metric. He is not alone in struggling to maintain his initial level of success, as there are other quarterbacks who have faced similar challenges. Geno Smith, for instance, has had a mixed bag of seasons across different teams, failing to crack the top 10 in this rating over the past five years. A closer examination of Herbert's career reveals that he is part of an exclusive group - one of only two quarterbacks in the last two decades who have spent five consecutive seasons outside the top 10 in this metric after enjoying multiple seasons within it. Jay Cutler is the other quarterback to share this distinction. The Chargers' disappointing start to the season has further raised questions about Herbert's status as a top-tier quarterback, given that he has yet to lead his team to a playoff victory and has not played at an elite level for five consecutive years. His career trajectory bears some resemblance to Trevor Lawrence's, another highly talented quarterback who has struggled with consistency. Despite their similar performance metrics over the past five seasons, Herbert is still seen as a more established player entering the year, whereas Lawrence was not considered one of the top 10 quarterbacks at the start of his season. The advanced metrics reveal a striking similarity between Justin Herbert's performance and that of his peers over the past five seasons. One significant factor to consider is the Chargers' collapse in the playoffs against the Jaguars, who were led by Trevor Lawrence. This game could be seen as a turning point in their respective careers, with Lawrence emerging as a top contender among quarterbacks. A closer look at the numbers reveals that Herbert has consistently fallen short of being considered one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league, despite his impressive individual metrics. This trend is evident when examining his EPA per dropback over the past five seasons. Many players on this list have struggled to maintain their elite status throughout their careers, including Eli Manning, who won two Super Bowl MVPs but ultimately failed to live up to expectations towards the end of his career. Similarly, Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson also experienced dips in performance during their respective tenures with various teams. Justin Herbert's supporting cast has been questioned by many, much like Matthew Stafford's situation when he was with the Lions. The lack of a strong running game and defense made it nearly impossible for anyone to succeed in that environment. Herbert has never had a player rush for over 1,000 yards during his career, and none of his receivers or tight ends have been selected as All-Pro players while under his leadership. Furthermore, he holds the unwanted record of being sacked the most times by any quarterback since his draft in 2020, with an astonishing 237 instances. A comparison of Herbert's first 100 starts to Stafford's early career reveals striking similarities. Both quarterbacks faced similar challenges, including limited support from their teams. It is worth noting that Stafford had the luxury of throwing to the talented Calvin Johnson during this period. The argument that Herbert simply needs the right pieces around him to excel like Stafford did with the Rams is a reasonable one and may come to fruition in time. However, until then, it remains to be seen if he can overcome his past struggles and achieve top-10 quarterback status. Some evidence suggests that Herbert's performance has been inconsistent over the years, particularly in the playoffs where he tends to underperform. This trend combined with his lack of success in high-pressure situations raises questions about his ability to elevate his game when it matters most. The evaluation of Justin Herbert's performance has sparked debate among NFL enthusiasts. His inability to consistently excel in high-pressure situations raises concerns about his ability to elevate his game when it counts most. In a comprehensive ranking, several quarterbacks are placed above Herbert, including Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Matthew Stafford. This trend indicates that he may not possess the elite skills required of an exceptional NFL quarterback. --- Source: [CBS Sports]( https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/justin-herbert-is-not-even-one-of-the-10-best-quarterbacks-nfl/ ) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/justin-herbert-s-status-as-elite-quarterback-questioned/