Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he believes quarterback Justin Herbert could be an edge rusher during the latest episode of Unbreakable with Jay Glazer released this week, his first podcast interview since being hired by the Chargers, released this week.
Harbaugh said Herbert's strength was similar to teammates and multi-time Pro Bowl pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, crediting the quarterback as being "that type of strong athletic, incredible athlete."
"Justin Herbert to me, it’s like wow, I've never seen anything quite like his talent, his intelligence, his work ethic, his mindset," Harbaugh said. "I mean, I can't find any flaws. And then I watch him, and this has all been going on, watching in shorts. We're shorts and helmets and stuff, but I've seen him in pads. I've seen it on the tape, him doing the exact same things. I'm blown away. He's had three offensive coordinators in three years. He's got this stuff picked up, down, and everything, motion landmarks, snap count. And I haven't even mentioned throwing."
"I mean, this guy could throw like an incredible arm talent. And he can run. The athlete that he is, he could be a tight end, easy, or an edge rusher even. He's that really kind of athletic strong. He did a conditioning test last week. He smashed it. Literally smashed it. It was easy and he just was sprinting at the end, way in front of all the other big skill players. It's amazing. And then he's got this, I mean, it's all about the team, you know? It's like he really tries to downplay him personally and lift others up, as opposed to trying to push others down and lift himself up.
"It's just so good in every way. He’ll probably come in and like get mad at me for saying this, you know, because he’s one of those guys that really wants the spotlight shined on somebody else. But that’s my assessment right there. I’ve never been around anybody better. Incredible. Incredible."
Herbert, 26, the No. 6 overall draft pick and Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, enters his fifth NFL season having underwent surgery on a broken index finger on his throwing hand in December. Harbaugh, 60, was just weeks removed from leading his alma mater, the University of Michigan, to a College Football Playoff National Championship when he was hired by the Chargers in January.
Harbaugh, a former Michigan and NFL quarterback, played for the then-San Diego Chargers for two seasons in 1999 and 2000.