Justin Herbert Earns No. 39 Spot on NFL Top 100 After Carrying Chargers Through Adversity

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert continues to earn respect from his peers across the league.

The star signal-caller checked in at No. 39 on the NFL Top 100 list for 2026, a recognition that reflects not only his talent but also the difficult circumstances he overcame during the 2025 season.

While Herbert’s ranking places him among the NFL’s elite players, there’s a legitimate argument that what he accomplished last year deserves even more appreciation.

Justin Herbert Thrived Despite Constant Pressure

Few quarterbacks faced a more challenging environment than Herbert in 2025. With both starting offensive tackles sidelined for significant stretches of the season, Herbert spent much of the year under siege. He faced an NFL-high 268 pressures and dealt with a league-leading 43.3% pressure rate.

For most quarterbacks, those numbers would have been devastating. Instead, Herbert found ways to keep the Chargers winning. Despite the relentless pressure, Los Angeles still reached the playoffs, giving the franchise back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. That’s a testament to Herbert’s ability to elevate the players around him.

One of the NFL’s Best Playmakers Outside the Pocket

Perhaps the most impressive part of Herbert’s season was what he did when plays broke down.

The Chargers quarterback threw 10 touchdowns while on the move in 2025, the highest total in the NFL. He also ranked fourth in the league with 1,192 passing yards under pressure. Those numbers highlight a common misconception about Herbert.

While he’s often celebrated for his elite arm strength and ability to deliver strikes from the pocket, he’s also one of the NFL’s most dangerous improvisational quarterbacks.

When protection collapsed, Herbert routinely turned potential negative plays into explosive gains. That’s a skill set that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.

Herbert Was More Aggressive Downfield

Another encouraging development was Herbert’s willingness to attack defenses vertically. According to NFL Pro Insight, 11.1% of his passes traveled at least 20 yards downfield, the second-highest deep-ball rate of his career.

Even more impressive, he completed a career-best 40.4% of those throws and recorded eight deep touchdowns, the third-most in the NFL. That efficiency speaks volumes.

It’s one thing to throw deep frequently. It’s another to do it effectively while spending the season under constant pressure. Herbert managed both.

The Best Could Be Yet to Come

The scary part for opposing defenses is that Herbert may be entering 2026 in a much better position than he was a year ago.

If the Chargers’ offensive line can stay healthy, Herbert should have significantly more time to operate from the pocket. Given how productive he remained despite the protection issues, even modest improvement up front could unlock another level of his game.

That’s why many around the league believe he’s poised for one of his best seasons yet.

The Missing Piece: Playoff Success

For all of Herbert’s accomplishments, one goal remains. A playoff victory.

He’s already established himself as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks and has helped guide the Chargers back into postseason contention. The next step is turning those appearances into deep playoff runs.

The good news for Los Angeles is that Herbert is still squarely in his prime and continues to improve.

Landing at No. 39 on the NFL Top 100 is another reminder of how highly he’s regarded across the league. After carrying the Chargers through one of the toughest situations any quarterback faced in 2025, Herbert has once again proven that he’s among the NFL’s elite.

Now comes the challenge of turning that individual excellence into postseason success.