Chargers' biggest offseason need is a nightmare for Justin Herbert

Chargers’ biggest offseason need is a nightmare for Justin Herbert originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was like a lamb to the slaughter last season, getting sacked 54 times.

That was the third-most in football.

Yes, his two tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, were injured, and both are expected back, but there are still holes in Justin’s protection. Tyler Biadasz was signed, so too was Cole Strange.

But that isn’t enough for Herbert to take this team deep into the playoffs.

And for ESPN’s Kris Rhim, he’s outlined L.A.’s needs, and I hope Herbert isn’t reading this.

“The Chargers’ interior offensive line has been this team’s Achilles’ heel for the past two seasons,” Rhim wrote. “The Chargers will have a new interior after center Bradley Bozeman’s retirement, right guard Mekhi Becton’s release and left guard Zion Johnson’s departure in free agency. L.A. signed former Commanders starting center Tyler Biadasz, but questions still remain at the guard spots.”

More:Analyst perfectly outlines Chiefs’ desired draft plan

Herbert needs protection

The most glaring thing here is that Herbert will have three new offensive linemen in 2026.

That is a lot of change for a group that got torched last season. Then again, the change might be good.

Still, if Jim Harbaugh wants his quarterback to get beaten up less, fortifying his protection is job No. 1.

Mike McDaniel as OC is a good move, and I expect the Chargers to be far better on offense just from his offensive mind alone. But Herbert can’t keep taking sacks and punishment the way he does.

Otherwise, we could have an Andrew Luck 2.0 on our hands in the near future.

And no one wants that.

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Chargers’ biggest offseason need is a nightmare for Justin Herbert

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