Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert surpassed 25,000 career passing yards on Sunday in the team's season-opening 26-14 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. Herbert achieved this milestone in his 96th career game, making him the fourth-fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach the mark. He trails only Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Dan Marino.
Mahomes reached 25,000 yards in 83 games, while Stafford and Marino accomplished the feat in 90 and 92 games, respectively. Herbert finished Sunday's game with 209 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Despite the individual achievement, the Chargers' loss overshadowed the milestone. The team has yet to secure a playoff win with Herbert as their starting quarterback, increasing the pressure on the upcoming season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed strong confidence in Herbert's future, predicting he will be remembered as the greatest quarterback of all time. "Allow me to call my shot, like Babe Ruth pointing his bat over to centerfield: Justin Herbert, when it’s all said and done, when his career comes to an end, I predict he will be known as the greatest, best ever to play the position of quarterback," Harbaugh stated.
Herbert was selected sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. While he has accumulated significant yardage early in his career, some fans believe he has not yet fully met the high expectations set since his arrival. The Chargers will look to rebound from their Week 1 performance as the season progresses.