EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Justin Herbert’s supporting cast passed an important first test in the Los Angeles Chargers’ season-opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.
Herbert was spectacular in the victory, playing one of the best games of his career as the Chargers ended a seven-game skid against their division rival. The performance would not have been possible without solid play around Herbert — from the receivers, to the offensive line to the tight ends to the running backs.
Coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz made it a goal this offseason to surround Herbert with more talent. The Chargers added at least one new starter to every offensive position group. Those additions all made significant impacts in Friday’s win. There was also evidence of development from returning players and growth from offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
One game into this season, the Chargers appear to be a more complete unit on that side of the ball.
“There’s really plenty of options and weapons, and Justin used them all,” Harbaugh said Monday back at the team facility in Los Angeles. “I think it bodes really well for us.”
Creating an ideal environment for Herbert will always start with pass protection, and the Chargers were excellent in this phase Friday night.
Tackle Joe Alt led the group with a dominant game in just his second NFL start on the left side. Harbaugh said it was “really close” to a “perfect game” for Alt.
Right guard Mekhi Becton, despite battling through a stomach illness, provided a protection lift on the interior as the new addition to the starting offensive line. Alt and Becton did not allow any pressures in 110 combined pass-blocking snaps, according to TruMedia. Left guard Zion Johnson allowed one pressure. Center Bradley Bozeman allowed three, and right tackle Trey Pipkins III allowed four.
The Chargers were largely able to eradicate the quick and immediate pressures that derailed so many drives in 2024. The protection was sturdy early in downs. Herbert, as a result, had time to navigate, escape, and create when pressure eventually leaked through.
Most importantly, the Chargers handled the Chiefs’ exotic and extensive blitz packages. Herbert completed 11 of 14 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown against the blitz, according to TruMedia. Outside of one sack from linebacker Drue Tranquill in the third quarter, the Chargers’ protection plan against the blitz was very sound. Running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris played a part in that. Hampton did get tripped up on one interior stunt with Tranquill and linebacker Nick Bolton in the third quarter. Harris lost a one-on-one pass protection rep against Tranquill on the final drive of the game that led to a sack. Otherwise, the Chargers weathered this phase of the Chiefs’ scheme.
Herbert was pressured on 31.3 percent of his dropbacks against the blitz, according to TruMedia. Last season, the Chiefs created pressure on 43.8 percent of their blitzes.
“Extremely good against the blitz,” Harbaugh said. “This is one of the best blitzing teams in the NFL. They come out of nowhere.”
The Chargers did a good job of keeping the pressure away from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. (Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images)
The Chargers also have a deeper and more dangerous group of pass catchers. Keenan Allen was the Chargers’ most targeted receiver. He caught seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Ladd McConkey caught six passes for 74 yards. Quentin Johnston, who continues to look like an improved player, caught five passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Conklin, a free agent addition, caught two passes for 50 yards in his Chargers debut. Rookie receiver Tre’ Harris even had a second-down conversion reception on a slant route in the fourth quarter, showing off how he can use his big frame to win over the middle of the field.
The final numbers in the run game were underwhelming. Hampton carried 15 times for 48 yards, a 3.2 yards-per-carry average. But the Chargers were able to execute some timely runs in the second half that indicate some more upside in this phase.
The Chargers engineered two extended, 74-yard touchdown drives in the second half that kept the ball away from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs only had three possessions in the second half. The first Chargers touchdown drive was 12 plays. The second was 11 plays.
On the first drive, Hampton converted a fourth-and-1 with a physical run to the left side. On three straight runs later in the drive, Hampton and Harris combined for 18 rushing yards to move the Chargers into the red zone.
“I had really thought Omarion was going to be a great player, a great back, and was hoping that would be right from Game 1,” Harbaugh said. “And now Exhibit A was really good. He played really well.”
It all came together courtesy of a masterclass from Roman. He schemed up explosive plays in the passing game, including several off play action. On the opening drive of the game, Roman created confusion by running Johnston on a crossing route behind the offensive line, out of sight of the Chiefs’ defenders. Roman opened a field-goal drive later in the first quarter by leaking Conklin on a crossing route off heavy play action. Conklin was wide open and turned this play into a 33-yard catch-and-run. Roman then got the final drive going with a play-action pass to tight end Will Dissly that went for 18 yards. That forced the Chiefs to burn a timeout and allowed Herbert to end the game with his third-down scramble three plays later.
“G-Ro’s had some great games as a play caller, as a game planner, as an offensive coordinator,” Harbaugh said. “I would put this one at the very top. Maybe none better than this one.”
The route combinations in the dropback game were equally effective. For example, Roman manipulated a Chiefs quarters-coverage zone look in the second quarter on a 23-yard completion to McConkey. Johnston ran the clear-out deep route. McConkey took the vacated space underneath Johnston on an over route from the right side of the formation to the left sideline.
“Just the totality of the game,” Harbaugh said of Roman’s play calling. “He was creative. He was able to run it at the right times. He was able to throw it at the right times.”
The Chargers must string together performances to truly establish themselves as a more complete unit on that side of the ball. That includes Herbert and all the pieces around him.
But Friday’s win was as good a start as Harbaugh could expect.
“The Chiefs aren’t the kind of team that are just going to give you a game,” Harbaugh said. “You’ve got to go win it, and our guys did that.”
(Top photo of Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen: Buda Mendes / Getty Images)
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