Quarterback Justin Herbert has committed himself long-term to the Los Angeles Chargers and thus rises to become the highest-paid NFL player. And the team around him is also giving the Californians confidence.

Financially, things couldn’t be going any better for Justin Herbert. His mega-contract, which pays him a total of 262.5 million US dollars over five years, has made him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.

No wonder: since Herbert was picked at No. 6 in the 2020 NFL Draft, things have gone uphill with the Los Angeles Chargers.

While only five wins were achieved in the previous season before Herbert was signed, seven (2020), nine (2021) and most recently ten wins followed in the seasons with Herbert. The Chargers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season, but failed in the first round because they gave away a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars and lost by a very narrow 30-31 margin.

Whether this positive development can be continued?

In fact, there is a lot to suggest Los Angeles could take another step forward. “I think there’s a sense of determination throughout the team, especially after that playoff game,” defensive lineman Morgan Fox said. “We know we’re better than what happened in Jacksonville. We know what a good team we can be. “

New OC Kellen Moore is expected to improve the running game

One key to success could be Kellen Moore, the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. Having held the same position with the Dallas Cowboys for the past four seasons and reliably provided offensive fireworks there, the highly touted offensive specialist is now expected to provide more power in the running game and more explosiveness in general with the Chargers.

Alongside star running back Austin Ekeler, young players like Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller are also expected to play a bigger role in the future. “We need depth at that position. You need two, three really good running backs in a season,” Moore said. The Chargers had the NFL’s third-best passing game in terms of yards last season, but also the third-weakest running game.

If the running game were to perform better in the future, it would take pressure off Herbert. Plus, he’ll have even more weapons at his disposal next season. In addition to veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, drafted this year by the Chargers as the No. 21 pick, could also play a supporting role. Moore announces, “I think he’s going to be important for us. “

The defence wants to “make a name for themselves “

And the defense, which allowed the 11th most points of any NFL team last season, could also take a step forward. Cornerback J.C. Jackson, who signed a high-dollar contract in 2022 and then played in only five games this season due to injury, is now expected to be a major factor.

In Drue Tranquill, the Chargers lost last season’s tackle leader. However, this loss was well compensated for, at least on paper, with the signing of linebacker Eric Kendricks, who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings. In addition, the draft was used to add two more diamonds in the rough with edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu (2nd round) and linebacker Daiyan Henley (3rd round).

Cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor hopes the defence will perform so well that people won’t just be talking about the offence around big earner Herbert next season: “Everybody knows we’re loaded with stars on that side of the ball. When they talk about the Chargers, that’s all we ever hear. We also have to make a name for ourselves as a defence. “