El SEGUNDO, Calif. — It has been six months since the Chargers’ playoff loss in the Wild Card Round to the Houston Texans. It is a game that was very uncharacteristic of quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense.

Herbert did throw four interceptions, but not all four were his fault. 

“We all lost together,” safety Derwin James said. “I feel like we all working towards to get back in that same situation and get it done this year.”

It just wasn’t their day. So, how does a quarterback get over a loss like that?

The Chargers quarterback reviewed the film and analyzed his approach after any other loss, but he doesn’t dwell on it or overthink what happened in Houston.

“If I spend any more time worrying or focusing on a loss like that, I think I’m doing a disservice to my teammates,” Herbert said.

Herbert is about to enter his second season with the same offensive scheme he used from his sophomore to junior seasons in the NFL when Joe Lombardi was retained as the offensive coordinator.

Jim Harbaugh talks with the team during the Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Camp at The Bolt on May 9, 2025 in El Segundo, California.

Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune

Jim Harbaugh talks with the team during the Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Camp at The Bolt on May 9, 2025 in El Segundo, California.

“I think it’s just continuing to improve on where we need to and taking what we did well last year and continuing to work on that and understand where we fell short, what we need to improve on,” Herbert said. 

Current offensive coordinator Greg Roman said on Wednesday that Herbert has a firm grasp of the offense and could even coach it to everyone else.

“Justin still impressing me?” Roman asked. “Yeah, just a little. Every day impresses me in a million different ways, just how he goes about his business. I said to you the other day, he could go out and run the practice. He knows this offense inside and out.”

The lack of weaponry was a significant topic last year regarding the Chargers’ offense. There was rookie receiver Ladd McConkey being most of it, with Quentin Johnston, JK Dobbins, and Will Dissly sprinkled in. 

It hurt them against Houston. McConkey had 197 receiving yards in that game; the next closest? Dissly with 16 yards.

That is why Jim Harbaugh and his staff went out to improve the weapons at their quarterback’s disposal.

They brought back receiver Mike Williams and tight end Tyler Conklin and signed running back Najee Harris. They drafted running back Omarion Hampton, receiver Tre Harris, and tight end Oronde Gadsden.

Tre Harris #9 runs a route during the Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Camp at The Bolt on May 9, 2025 in El Segundo, California.

Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune

Tre Harris #9 runs a route during the Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Camp at The Bolt on May 9, 2025 in El Segundo, California.

Herbert is impressed by how quickly the rookies have grasped the offense.

“Those guys have done such a great job of understanding football, of how to stay open, how to get open, and they’re really friendly to the quarterback,” Herbert said. “So, they’ve been great additions.”

The return of Williams put a smile on Herbert’s face when asked about the receiver he had grown accustomed to throwing the ball to in challenging situations and who would come down with it.

“It’s just good to see him,” Herbert said of Williams. “He’s one of those guys that changes the way you play football when he’s on your team. To have a guy like that lineup at x, z, wherever he plays, you got a real threat.”

Another significant factor in Houston’s success was the play of the interior offensive line. Harbaugh went out to get right guard Mehki Becton, who, next to Joe Alt, looked like two immovable objects. 

The interesting part is that during minicamp, the Chargers have had Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman interchanging the center and left guard spots. 

“One of the things that excites me is those guys are so interchangeable, and they’ve done such a great job,” Herbert said about the whole offensive line. “To have an offensive line that is able to communicate, understand the situation, and be able to be flexible about it. I think it’s only going to help us.”

They two were big talking points last year because of their consistent struggles, so it will be interesting to see how they perform.

Herbert is no longer discussing the Houston game and is now focused on this team. The team has high expectations, whether from fans or those around the league.

They have a tough schedule and face many challenges, but with a great quarterback, they have a chance to win in any game.

“He’s doing every anything and everything he can possibly do,” Harbaugh said about his quarterback. “Now, it’s up to the rest of us.”