Justin Herbert, the Chargers' signal-caller, just got pegged as the 13th-best quarterback in the NFL by Pro Football Network, landing at No. 80 on their top 100 players list. Yeah, 13th. PFN contributor Jacob Infante pointed out that while playoff success keeps slipping away from Herbert, his regular season game is absolutely locked in. This ranking, it tells you everything about where he stands right now, and what needs to change.
The Numbers Tell a Story of Highs and Lows
Herbert has led the Chargers to double-digit wins in three of his last four seasons, which is serious consistency. He's also been in the NFL's top ten for passing yards in three of those four years. In 2026, he still put up solid numbers, ranking ninth with 3,727 yards and tying for seventh with 26 passing touchdowns. That's elite production right there, even if the team hasn't always finished strong in the postseason. But here's the catch: Herbert's 13 interceptions last season absolutely crushed his PFN QB Impact Score, dropping it to a career-low 75.1. It just goes to show, even with an injured hand and a totally beat-up offensive line, he still dragged the Chargers to the playoffs. He's impactful, no doubt, but those turnovers? They're a killer.What Needs To Happen Next
The good news is, some of that turnover trouble wasn't all on Herbert. His offensive line was a mess, and that played a part in those interceptions. But guess what? Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater are expected to be back from their injuries in 2026, and that should stabilize things big time up front. This means the biggest key to Herbert climbing those rankings, and more importantly, turning the Chargers into a *true* threat to win it all in the AFC, comes down to one thing: taking care of the football. If he can keep slinging those touchdowns at his current rate but drastically cut down on the turnovers, the AFC better watch out. That No. 13 spot won't last long, and the entire league will notice.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.