Yahoo Sports NFL on Justin Herbert

ArticleJim Harbaugh is in unfamiliar territory ... and the Chargers are in trouble
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The league has been waiting for Herbert, 0-3 in the playoffs, to level up for half a decade now... McDaniel's highly complex offensive schemes rely, first and foremost, on the quarterback getting rid of the ball quickly. Herbert is more of a deliberate pocket passer; in 2025, per NFL NextGen Stats, his release time was 2.9 seconds, 32nd among NFL quarterbacks. McDaniel said in the preseason that he hoped to get that release time down to 2.4 seconds; after two games, Herbert's release time stands at … 2.8.
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Herbert's release time (2.8s) lags McDaniel's scheme needs; playoff struggles persist.

Herbert has been a focal point of league expectations to 'level up' for half a decade, but the Chargers' offensive struggles through two games suggest those projections remain unfulfilled. The source notes Herbert is 0-3 in the playoffs and that McDaniel's complex schemes rely on quick ball release; Herbert's 2025 release time stands at 2.8 seconds (32nd among NFL QBs), barely improved from the preseason target of 2.4 seconds despite McDaniel's offensive design being predicated on faster releases.

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