With his new lucrative football contract, Justin Herbert has the weight of high expectations on his shoulders. As one of the emerging stars in the NFL, Herbert possesses a rare combination of arm talent and athleticism. However, to fully live up to his new deal, the Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback needs the right support system in place. This is where incoming offensive coordinator Kellen Moore becomes a pivotal component.
Despite Herbert’s arm talent and ability to generate explosive plays, his previous offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, favored a conservative, West Coast passing attack. This led to limited downfield passing opportunities for Herbert. In his first full year as a starter, Herbert ranked only 25th in Average Depth of Target (aDOT) among qualified passers. Last year, that number dropped even further, sitting at 39th in the league. Nonetheless, when given the opportunity to go deep, Herbert showcased his ability to make explosive plays, evident through his 2021 Adjusted Completion Percentage (ACP) of 51.6% on deep throws.
Kellen Moore’s coaching experience with the Dallas Cowboys gives a glimpse into how he can help Herbert unleash his full potential. Serving as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 under both Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy, Moore displayed his versatility in adapting to different offensive philosophies. While maintaining certain West Coast principles, Moore allowed Dak Prescott to take more deep shots, resulting in a higher aDOT compared to Herbert’s.
Herbert’s big arm sets him apart, and the Chargers would greatly benefit from harnessing this attribute. By implementing strategies that prioritize downfield passing, Moore can utilize Herbert’s arm strength to create explosive plays and stretch opposing defenses. One example of this is the variation of the “Burner” concept used against the Kansas City Chiefs. Moore’s system involves a rollout play, with a deep corner route breaking away from the quarterback’s direction. This play allowed Herbert to showcase his arm strength by making a 55-yard throw for a Keenan Allen catch.
Herbert himself recognizes the importance of throwing the ball downfield and taking calculated shots. In his goals for the year, he expressed the importance of utilizing the talent of the receivers on the outside. Moore’s offensive strategies align with Herbert’s aspirations, providing the quarterback with the platform he needs to thrive and justify his new contract.
Justin Herbert’s new contract places immense pressure on him to deliver consistent results. However, working in tandem with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the Chargers have the opportunity to maximize Herbert’s potential. By embracing a more downfield passing attack and leveraging Herbert’s arm talent, Moore can help the young quarterback reach new heights and live up to his contract. With the right support system in place, Herbert has the potential to become one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the NFL.
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