Justin Herbert has started three playoff games, and honestly, every single one has ended in massive failure. Last season, the Chargers made it to the postseason, and instead of getting that redemption, they totally flopped again in a 16-3 loss to the Patriots. This wasn't just a bad game, it highlighted a problem that's now a full-blown part of Herbert's story.
The Playoff Demons Are Real
After that Patriots loss, Herbert got hit with what should have been an easy pitch: "Do you have the confidence to get over the hump, get a playoff win, and go on a run?" You'd expect a firm "yes," right? But Herbert's response was a chilling "Uh, yeah, I don't know. I haven't figured it out yet, and it hasn't happened yet so we'll have to reevaluate and see what happens." Sure, emotions run high after a tough loss, but that answer, fair or not, just screamed doubt. His playoff résumé is brutal for a guy who's otherwise a good quarterback. We're talking blowing a 27-0 lead at the Jaguars at the end of the 2022 season in his first playoff shot. Two postseasons ago, he threw four interceptions against the Texans. Then last season, just 159 passing yards and three points scored against New England. Compare his regular season passer rating of 96.3 to a dreadful 64.7 in the playoffs, and you see a clear pattern.Not All His Fault, But All His Problem
Now, let's be real, last season's playoff loss wasn't entirely Herbert's fault. The Chargers would've been nowhere near a playoff spot without him, a fact so undeniable he even snagged a stray MVP vote. The guy was under constant fire, pressured a league-high 29.8% of the time, which is two percent more than any other quarterback. He got hit 74 times; only Jared Goff got popped more, and Goff played an extra game. Missing injured offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt clearly put Herbert in regular duress. The Chargers still managed an 11-6 record, and Herbert had a good year as he keeps growing under head coach Jim Harbaugh. That's commendable, but in this league, quarterbacks are judged on playoff success. And Herbert just doesn't have any yet.What's Next for This Playoff Problem?
The Chargers are actually set up pretty well to make it back to the playoffs. The expected returns of Slater, who had a ruptured patellar tendon, and Alt, who dealt with a high ankle injury, might be the most underrated storyline in the NFL. Think about it: an 11-win team that couldn't protect its quarterback is bringing back two Pro Bowl-level tackles. That's massive, and it's going to ripple through the entire offense. Running back Omarion Hampton should get more room, and wide receiver Ladd McConkey should have a chance to bounce. This upcoming season is everything for Herbert's legacy. He's got the talent, the coach, and now, finally, the protection back. It's time to see if he can actually figure it out.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.