Justin Herbert Bio
Justin Patrick Herbert, born on March 10, 1998, is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. 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 recognition and awards for his performance.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 237 pounds, Herbert is regarded as one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league. Beyond football, he has shown a thoughtful side, notably taking up chess study and engaging with the wider football community through his platform.
Early Life and Background
Justin Patrick Herbert was born in Eugene, Oregon, on March 10, 1998, and grew up in the same community where he would later star for the Ducks. He attended Sheldon High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. During the third football game of his junior season, he suffered a broken leg, an injury that complicated his college recruitment and forced him to work his way back to the field.
As a senior, Herbert passed for 3,130 yards and 37 touchdowns, and rushed for 543 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named first-team All-State and the Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Montana State extended offers before Nevada and Oregon followed up with his only NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision offers, and Herbert committed to Oregon in October 2015. He also co-founded the Sheldon High School Fishing Club while in high school and served as its president.
Herbert’s family has deep roots in athletics. His maternal grandfather, Rich Schwab, played receiver at the University of Oregon in the 1960s, while his paternal grandfather, Roger Herbert, was a biology teacher at Sheldon High School who helped fuel Herbert’s interest in science. His father, Mark Herbert, played football and ran track at the University of Montana, and Herbert grew up as a San Diego Chargers fan.
Path to American Football
Herbert entered his true freshman season at Oregon listed as the backup quarterback behind Dakota Prukop. 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. Despite setting or equaling Oregon’s single-game records for total offensive yards (512), passing yards (489), and touchdown passes (6), the Ducks finished 4-8, their worst record in 25 years.
After the fifth game of the 2016 season, Herbert became the starting quarterback and showcased his talent by throwing for 1,936 yards, including 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions in eight starts. He led a come-from-behind upset of the ranked No. 11 Utah Utes, completing 6-of-9 passes for 63 yards on the final drive, including a 17-yard game-winning touchdown pass with two seconds left. In 2017, Herbert transitioned from the Chip Kelly-Mark Helfrich-era “Blur Offense” to Willie Taggart’s “Gulf Coast Offense” and led the Ducks to a 4-1 start before fracturing his collarbone against the California Golden Bears. He returned to help Oregon win its last two regular season games, finishing with a 6-2 record as a starter and earning first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors with a 4.08 grade-point average in biology.
As a junior in 2018, Herbert entered the season as an early Heisman Trophy candidate under a third different head coach, Mario Cristobal, learning a third different offensive scheme as Oregon shifted to the pistol offense. He led the Ducks to a 9-4 record and a Redbox Bowl victory, finishing with 3,151 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Despite projecting as a high draft pick, Herbert announced he would return to Oregon for his senior season. In 2019, he led the Ducks to a 12-2 record, a Rose Bowl win where he ran for three touchdowns and was named Offensive MVP, and totaled 3,471 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns. He was also named the 30th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, often called the “Academic Heisman,” and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general science.
Justin Herbert Career
Early Career (2020-2020)
Herbert was selected sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, 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, and his jersey was listed as the 12th best-selling jersey to start the season. Herbert was named the backup quarterback behind starter Tyrod Taylor ahead of Week 1.
On September 20, 2020, Herbert made his first NFL start in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs after Taylor was ruled inactive due to a punctured lung. He finished with 311 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one rushing score as the Chargers lost 23-20 in overtime, becoming only the third player in NFL history to pass for at least 300 yards and rush for a touchdown in his first career game. By October 8, 2020, Herbert was named the starting quarterback for the Chargers over Taylor going forward.
NFL Rookie Season (2020)
During his rookie year, Herbert produced one of the most decorated debut seasons in league history. In Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, Herbert threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns during a 30-27 overtime loss, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to throw for four touchdown passes on Monday Night Football. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Month after throwing 10 touchdowns to one interception in three starts with 901 passing yards and a 122.2 passer rating, and he became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history with multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive games.
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, previously held by Baker Mayfield, during a 19-16 win. During the same game, he also reached 4,000 yards passing, becoming only the fourth rookie quarterback to achieve the feat. Herbert finished the 2020 season on a four-game winning streak with 4,336 yards passing, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, and was named the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Second Season (2021)
Herbert helped lead the Chargers to a 4-1 start in 2021, including a 30-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. He produced his best statistical game of the season in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, passing for 398 yards, four touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown in a 47-42 shootout victory. In Week 15 against the Chiefs, Herbert surpassed Andrew Luck’s record for the most passing yards in an NFL quarterback’s first two seasons and surpassed Dan Marino’s record for the most total touchdowns in an NFL quarterback’s first two seasons.
In the 2021 season, Herbert set franchise records with 5,014 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He added 63 carries for 302 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, leading the Chargers to a 9-8 record and earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. Herbert became the first quarterback in franchise history to throw for at least 5,000 yards in a single season.
Third Season (2022)
In Week 1 of the 2022 season, Herbert threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs he added 334 yards and three touchdowns. In the fourth quarter of that game, Herbert suffered a fracture to his rib cartilage, an injury that hampered him for several weeks. In Week 6 against the Denver Broncos, Herbert completed 37 of 57 passes for 238 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception in a 19-16 victory, with his 57 attempts the most in a winning effort without a passing touchdown in NFL history.
Overall, Herbert passed for 4,739 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 17 games in 2022, setting single-season franchise records for pass attempts and completions. The Chargers finished 10-7 and earned a playoff berth. In his first playoff game, Herbert passed for 273 yards and a touchdown as the Chargers fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-30 in the Wild Card Round, surrendering a 27-0 lead in the third-largest blown lead in NFL playoff history.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2023-Present)
On April 28, 2023, the Chargers picked up the fifth-year option on Herbert’s contract, and on July 25, 2023, he signed a five-year extension worth $262.5 million that extends through the 2029 season. At the time of the signing, the deal made Herbert the highest-paid player in NFL history, surpassing the record set by Lamar Jackson just months earlier, and the highest-paid NFL quarterback based on average annual value at $52.5 million per season. After starting the 2023 season 0-2, Herbert led a fourth-quarter comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 for a 28-24 win, his first 400-yard passing performance in the NFL, before suffering a broken index finger on his throwing hand in Week 14 that ended his season.
Herbert entered his fifth NFL season in 2024 with his third different head coach, as Jim Harbaugh replaced Brandon Staley. He opened the season with a 90-plus passer rating in his first ten games, the longest streak of starts with a 90-plus passer rating by any quarterback to begin a season since 2018, and passed David Carr for the most completions by a quarterback in their first five seasons in Week 10. From Weeks 2 to 14, Herbert recorded 357 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the fifth-longest such streak in NFL history. He finished 2024 with 3,870 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, along with career highs in rushing yards, before a difficult Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Justin Herbert combines an elite arm with rare size, making him a threat to attack every level of the field. He excels in play-action concepts, completing 74.7 percent for 1,617 yards with eight touchdowns and just two interceptions on such throws in 2024, among the best marks in the league. His poise under pressure and ability to extend plays with his legs have made him a natural fit for a run-game-oriented approach, and he has continued to refine his decision-making, posting a 23-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024 that ranks eighth all-time among quarterbacks with at least 15 touchdown passes in a season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herbert’s most celebrated milestone came on December 27, 2020, when he broke Baker Mayfield’s rookie record for passing touchdowns. He has since added franchise records for single-season passing yards (5,014 in 2021) and pass attempts and completions (2022), and in Week 10 of the 2024 season passed David Carr for the most completions by a quarterback in their first five seasons. In Week 8 of 2025, Herbert passed Peyton Manning for the most completions by a quarterback in their first six seasons, further cementing his place in NFL history.
Justin Herbert Career Wins
Across his first five NFL seasons, Justin Herbert has delivered numerous signature victories for the Los Angeles Chargers, including an opening-week win over the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, to begin the 2025 campaign. He has been recognized for his play with Pro Bowl selections, the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and inclusion on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Herbert’s first NFL win came in his second career start, and he has since posted multiple 300-yard games, four-touchdown performances, and game-winning drives. His 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns in 2021 stands as one of his most prolific statistical outings, with 398 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond regular season play, Herbert led the Oregon Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory following the 2019 season, running for three touchdowns and earning Offensive MVP honors. He also guided Oregon to a 2018 Redbox Bowl win, helping the program cap a 9-4 campaign under head coach Mario Cristobal.
Justin Herbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Herbert’s maternal grandfather, Rich Schwab, played receiver at the University of Oregon in the 1960s, and his paternal grandfather, Roger Herbert, was a biology teacher at Sheldon High School who helped fuel Herbert’s interest in science. His father, Mark Herbert, played football and ran track at the University of Montana, instilling a strong athletic foundation in his sons. 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, Justin Herbert is dating singer and songwriter Madison Beer. He has also shown a thoughtful side off the field, taking up chess study after being beaten by Chargers teammate Rashawn Slater during a 2024 road trip and appearing in 2025 with Swedish chess player and Woman FIDE Master Anna Cramling to discuss his journey to improve his game.
2025 Season Performance
The Los Angeles Chargers opened the 2025 season with a 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, as Herbert completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. The victory set a positive tone for a team working under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and Herbert continued his consistent play, earning recognition for his early-season performance.
In Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, Herbert passed Peyton Manning for the most completions by a quarterback in their first six seasons, a milestone that highlighted his durability and accuracy across his professional career. He was named to his second career Pro Bowl, recognizing his standing among the league’s top quarterbacks.
With a contract that runs through the 2029 season and a coaching staff that emphasizes a strong running game and play-action passing, Herbert enters the heart of the 2025 schedule with momentum. The Chargers will look to build on their early-season form and contend for a deep playoff run behind their franchise quarterback.