Justin Patrick Herbert Bio
Justin Patrick Herbert (born March 10, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, where he won the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, and was selected by the Chargers as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Herbert became the Chargers starting quarterback in the second game of his rookie season and quickly set several rookie statistical records, earning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for his performance.
Early Life and Background
Justin Patrick Herbert was born on March 10, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon. He attended Sheldon High School in his hometown, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. During the third football game of his junior season, Herbert suffered a broken leg, which complicated his recruitment process. As a senior, he passed for 3,130 yards and 37 touchdowns, and rushed for 543 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors and the Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year award. Herbert also co-founded the Sheldon High School Fishing Club and served as its president.
Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Montana State extended scholarship offers before Nevada and Oregon followed up with his only NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision offers. Herbert ultimately committed to play for the University of Oregon in October 2015. His family has deep football roots: his paternal grandfather, Roger Herbert, was a biology teacher at Sheldon High School who fueled Herbert’s interest in science, while his maternal grandfather, Rich Schwab, played receiver at the University of Oregon in the 1960s. His father, Mark Herbert, played football and ran track at the University of Montana.
Path to American Football
Herbert entered Oregon as a true freshman in 2016, listed as the backup quarterback behind Dakota Prukop on the depth chart. He became the first true freshman at Oregon to start at quarterback since Chris Miller in 1983 when the Ducks faced their arch-rivals, the Washington Huskies, on October 8, 2016. In that game, Herbert set or equaled Oregon’s single-game records for total offensive yards (512), passing yards (489), and touchdown passes (6), though the Ducks finished with their worst season in 25 years, going 4-8 and failing to make a bowl game for the first time in over a decade.
Despite the challenging first season, Herbert’s talent was evident. After the fifth game, he became the starting quarterback and showcased his abilities by throwing for 1,936 yards including 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions in eight starts. He led a dramatic comeback against the ranked No. 11 Utah Utes, orchestrating four touchdowns in the final 15:27 to overcome a 14-3 deficit and deliver a game-winning touchdown pass with two seconds remaining.
Justin Patrick Herbert Career
Rookie Season (2020)
Herbert was selected sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, becoming the third quarterback taken behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. On July 25, 2020, he signed his four-year rookie contract worth a fully guaranteed $26.6 million. Herbert was named the backup quarterback behind starter Tyrod Taylor ahead of Week 1. His first NFL start came in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 20, 2020, when Taylor was ruled inactive after a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung.
Herbert finished his debut with 311 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one rushing score as the Chargers lost 23-20 in overtime. He became only the third player in NFL history to pass for at least 300 yards and rush for a touchdown in his first career game. On October 8, 2020, Herbert was named the starting quarterback going forward. He made NFL history by becoming the first rookie to throw for four touchdown passes on Monday Night Football and posted multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive games, another rookie record.
On December 27, 2020, Herbert threw his 28th passing touchdown of the season against the Denver Broncos, breaking the NFL record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie. During that game, he also reached 4,000 yards passing for the season, becoming only the fourth rookie quarterback to achieve the feat. Herbert was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, finishing the season with 4,336 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In the 2021 season, Herbert helped lead the Chargers to a 4-1 start, including a Week 3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He set franchise records with 5,014 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, becoming the first quarterback in Chargers history to throw for at least 5,000 yards in a single season. He also had 63 carries for 302 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11, Herbert had 382 passing yards and three touchdowns. In Week 15 against the Chiefs, he surpassed Andrew Luck’s record for the most passing yards in an NFL quarterback’s first two seasons and Dan Marino’s record for the most total touchdowns in a quarterback’s first two seasons.
The Chargers finished the 2021 season with a 9-8 record and earned a playoff berth. In their Week 18 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Herbert threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-32 overtime loss that eliminated the team from playoff contention. In 2022, Herbert passed for 4,739 yards, 25 touchdowns, and ten interceptions despite suffering a fracture to his rib cartilage in Week 2 against the Chiefs. He set single-season franchise records for pass attempts and completions, and the Chargers finished 10-7 to earn another playoff berth. In his first playoff game, Herbert passed for 273 yards and a touchdown, but the Chargers fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-30 after surrendering a 27-0 lead.
Jim Harbaugh Era (2023-Present)
On April 28, 2023, the Chargers picked up the fifth-year option on Herbert’s contract. On July 25, he signed a five-year extension worth $262.5 million, extending through the 2029 season. The deal made Herbert the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time and the highest-paid NFL quarterback based on average annual value at $52.5 million per season. After starting the season 0-2, Herbert led a fourth-quarter comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, resulting in a 28-24 win and his first 400-yard passing performance in the NFL. In Week 14 against the Denver Broncos, he suffered a broken index finger on his throwing hand and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Herbert entered the 2024 season with his third different head coach as Brandon Staley was replaced by Jim Harbaugh. He began the season with a 90-plus passer rating in his first ten games, the longest such streak by any quarterback to start a season since 2018. From Weeks 2 to 14, Herbert recorded 357 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the fifth-longest such streak in NFL history. In Week 17 against the New England Patriots, he became the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, clinching a playoff berth for the Chargers. He finished 2024 with 3,870 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
Arm Strength and Playmaking Ability
Herbert possesses exceptional arm talent that allows him to make all the throws at the NFL level, including deep balls and tight-window passes. His 6-foot-6 frame gives him the ability to see over the offensive line and deliver passes with a quick release. He has demonstrated strong mobility for his size, rushing for 1,715 career yards and 15 touchdowns. His football IQ and ability to read defenses have improved throughout his career, particularly working with offensive-minded coaches. His efficiency metrics rank among the league’s best, with his 23:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024 ranking eighth all-time among quarterbacks with at least 15 touchdown passes in a season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herbert’s career has been defined by record-setting performances. He holds the NFL record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie (31) and became the first quarterback in Chargers franchise history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season. His milestone of most completions by a quarterback in their first five seasons, set in 2024 against the Tennessee Titans, highlighted his consistency and durability. In 2025, Herbert passed Peyton Manning for the most completions by a quarterback in their first six seasons. Despite his individual success, Herbert has guided the Chargers to only two playoff appearances in his first six seasons.
Justin Patrick Herbert Career Achievements
Throughout his career, Herbert has established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks, accumulating numerous records and accolades across both college and professional levels.
NFL Highlights
In six NFL seasons, Herbert has passed for 24,820 yards with 163 touchdowns and 58 interceptions, maintaining a 96.3 passer rating. He holds the NFL record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie with 31 and became the first quarterback in Chargers history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season. His 2024 season featured a remarkable 23:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and he became only the third quarterback in NFL history to pass for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each of his first five seasons. Herbert was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2025, and earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020.
College and Other Honors
At Oregon, Herbert won the 2019 Pac-12 Championship and was named the 30th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. He graduated from Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in general science and maintained a 4.08 grade-point average in biology, earning first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. In 2019, he led the Ducks to a 12-2 record and a Rose Bowl victory, where he ran for three touchdowns and was named Offensive MVP of the game.
| Competition Level | Seasons | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Los Angeles Chargers) | 2020-2025 | 24,820 | 163 | 2 |
| College (Oregon) | 2016-2019 | 10,541 | 95 | N/A |
Justin Patrick Herbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Herbert comes from an athletic family with deep roots in Oregon. His maternal grandfather, Rich Schwab, played receiver at the University of Oregon in the 1960s. His paternal grandfather, Roger Herbert, was a biology teacher at Sheldon High School and played a significant role in fueling Herbert’s interest in science. His father, Mark Herbert, played football and ran track at the University of Montana. Herbert’s younger brother, Patrick Herbert, plays tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars, while his older brother, Mitchell Herbert, played wide receiver at Montana State University.
Personal Life
As of 2025, Herbert is in a relationship with singer and songwriter Madison Beer. Growing up, Herbert was a fan of the San Diego Chargers before the team relocated to Los Angeles in 2017. In addition to his football career, Herbert developed an interest in chess after being beaten by Chargers teammate Rashawn Slater in a game during a 2024 road trip. He spent the following year studying chess from various sources and appeared with Swedish chess player and internet personality Anna Cramling in a 2025 video discussing his journey to improve his game.
2025 Season Performance
Herbert and the Chargers opened the 2025 season with a historic international game in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Kansas City Chiefs. They defeated the Chiefs 27-21 with Herbert completing 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, Herbert passed Peyton Manning for the most completions by a quarterback in their first six seasons. On December 1, he underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand suffered in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite the injury, Herbert was named to his second career Pro Bowl on December 23. He led the team to 11 wins while playing behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines and ran for a career-high 498 yards. The Chargers clinched a playoff berth but lost their playoff opener 16-3 to the New England Patriots. Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards with no touchdowns, was sacked six times, and lost a fumble. He acknowledged his performance afterward, stating he did not play well enough and did not make any plays.