ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has predicted that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be a top-five MVP candidate by Thanksgiving and that the team's offense will rank among the league's best.
"I would be shocked if he is not; this offense will be a top five unit," Orlovsky said Friday on "The Pat McAfee Show." "They’re loaded at tight end, they’re loaded at [running back], if the offensive line is healthy, it’s got a chance to be top five in the league."
Orlovsky's prediction comes as the Chargers face what is being described as a make-or-break year for both Herbert and the franchise. Since his NFL debut six years ago, Herbert has shown flashes of elite play but has struggled in critical moments, holding a 0-3 record in playoff games. Notable playoff performances include a 0-3 record in playoff games, a blown 27-point lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023, a four-interception game against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round in 2024, and a 159-yard, zero-touchdown performance in another postseason matchup.
In his 2020 rookie season, Herbert was named NFL Rookie of the Year after throwing for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Despite past playoff shortcomings, the Chargers organization has focused on building around Herbert. This offseason, the team hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as the new offensive playcaller. The team also reinforced its offensive line through the NFL Draft, selecting four players at the position, including center Jake Slaughter in the second round.
Orlovsky also commented on Herbert's playing style, noting that while the quarterback often throws with significant velocity, adapting to a new system under McDaniel, who has historically favored anticipatory throws, will be crucial. "It’s all gas dude, like everything is a fastball," Orlovsky said of Herbert's approach. "McDaniel has always liked these anticipatory quarterbacks that throw to spots and ‘I displace this player, and there’s the void, we throw it there.’ So how quickly and how well Justin gets comfortable with that, maybe a little bit of an offspeed rather than that fireball all the time, it’s gonna be huge."