The Athletic Football Show on Justin Herbert

PodcastQuarterbacks at a crossroads in 2026August 25, 2026

From the episode

This would be the time that it's like, okay, if they can't put it together now, I think some of the criticism starts to be legit.

Mentioned at 51:19 – 58:01

STACKED’s take

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Herbert faces a critical year to prove his elite status under McDaniel

The source views this as a critical 'crossroads' year for Justin Herbert, noting that with Mike McDaniel as his play-caller, there are no more excuses for underperformance. While acknowledging Herbert's immense talent, the source points out that he has struggled to calibrate his play style—balancing scrambling with traditional pocket passing—and that this season will determine if he can be the 'fourth most productive quarterback in the league.'