Justin Herbert is one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the NFL. He plays for the Los Angeles Chargers and was drafted in 2020. In this blog I’ll explain his recent form, his career numbers, what the 2025 season looks like so far, and what those stats really mean. I used trusted sources like NFL.com, ESPN, Pro-Football-Reference and news reports to check the facts. (NFL.com)
Who is Justin Herbert?
Justin Herbert was born on March 10, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon. He played college football at Oregon and was selected by the Chargers with the 6th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He quickly became the Chargers’ starting quarterback and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award after a strong first season. Those early successes helped establish him as a reliable starting QB in the league. (Wikipedia)
Quick snapshot of the 2025 season
By the time of the 2025 regular season through about Week 13, Herbert’s 2025 numbers show a solid but not league-leading year. He had thrown for roughly 2,842 yards, with 21 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, and his total QBR and passer ratings sit around the mid-60s to mid-90s depending on the metric. Those totals reflect a player who is helping his team win games but who has also faced some ups and downs this season. (ESPN)
Career totals and milestones
Over his career from 2020 through the 2025 season so far, Herbert has built very strong counting stats. He has passed for more than 23,900 career yards and about 158 touchdown passes. He has set some rookie records (like most touchdown passes by a rookie) and in 2021 became the first Chargers QB to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season. Those career numbers show consistency: Herbert often throws for a lot of yards and many touchdowns each year. (Pro Football Reference)
What the 2025 numbers tell us
Raw totals like yards and touchdowns are easy to read, but they don’t tell the whole story. A few things to keep in mind:
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Yards: 2,842 yards in a partial or near-full season show Herbert is still a productive passer. He usually ranks among the team and sometimes the league leaders in passing yards. (ESPN)
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Touchdowns vs. interceptions: 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions shows a positive ratio but also indicates turnovers are present. Coaches want the TDs, but fewer interceptions would make the season stronger. (NFL.com)
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Efficiency (QBR / passer rating): These metrics combine many factors (completion rate, TDs, INTs, yards per attempt) and place Herbert around solid but not elite levels this season. They show he is effective but with room to climb. (ESPN)
Notable games and moments in 2025
One standout game early in the 2025 season was the Chargers’ international game in São Paulo, Brazil, where Herbert threw three touchdown passes and helped beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Performances like that highlight his ability to win big games and make big plays on big stages. On the flip side, injuries and team changes (coaching or roster moves) can affect how consistent a player looks from week to week. (Reuters)
Injuries and recent news (important context)
In early December 2025, Herbert underwent surgery on his non-throwing (left) hand after an injury. The team reported he was limited in practice but optimistic about playing upcoming games. Injuries to any part of a player’s body can influence both performance and availability, so this is important context when reading his 2025 stats. The team also manages backups and game plans around his status. (Reuters)
How Herbert stacks up with peers
Comparing quarterbacks is about more than raw totals. You have to consider situation, offense, supporting players, and coaching. Herbert’s strengths are a tall frame, a big arm, and a consistent ability to produce yardage. His weaknesses in some seasons have been turnovers, occasional decision-making under pressure, and pass protection issues from his offensive line. In 2025 he remains among the better starters in the league but not at the absolute top in every advanced metric. (Pro Football Reference)
Why his contract and team situation matter
Herbert signed a big contract extension with the Chargers that underscores the franchise’s commitment to him as their long-term quarterback. When a team invests heavily in a player, the roster and coaching staff are often adjusted to maximize that player’s strengths. That makes Herbert’s performance extra important for the Chargers’ short-term and long-term plans. (Reuters)
Reading the deeper numbers (what to watch)
If you follow Herbert more closely, here are a few stats that matter beyond yards and TDs:
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Yards per attempt (YPA): Shows how aggressive or efficient his passing is. Higher YPA usually means more downfield success. (Pro Football Reference)
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Completion percentage and adjusted completion: Tell you how accurate he is, including on throws of different difficulty. (Pro Football Reference)
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Turnover-worthy plays / interception rate: Important to judge decision-making. A lower interception rate is better even if total attempts are high. (NFL.com)
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Pressure and sack rate: If the offensive line is weak, sacks and hurried throws rise and stats suffer. Look at how often he is pressured and how he performs under pressure. (Pro Football Reference)
What fans and analysts often debate
Fans and analysts usually talk about a few recurring themes with Herbert:
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Can he win big playoff games? Regular-season stats are great, but playoff wins are how many teams and fans measure a quarterback’s legacy. Herbert has had limited postseason chances, and playoff success is a common point of discussion. (Pro Football Reference)
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Is he elite or very good? Some seasons he looks elite (big yardage and TD totals, high efficiency). Other seasons show inconsistency. The debate continues because of the high expectations placed on him. (ESPN)
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How much does the team around him matter? Supporting receivers, running game, protection, and coaching all shape a QB’s numbers. Herbert’s stats must be seen in the context of the Chargers’ roster and scheme. (Bolts From The Blue)
Simple takeaway for non-experts
If you’re not deep into football stats, here’s the plain message: Justin Herbert is a top-level NFL quarterback who regularly throws for many yards and touchdowns. He has been very productive since he entered the league, showed flash and consistency, and earned a large contract because of his skills. In 2025 he is still productive but not necessarily the single best QB in every statistic — he has good games and some games with mistakes. Injuries and team changes can affect how those numbers look from week to week. (Pro Football Reference)
Where I got the information
I looked at official and reliable sports sources for up-to-date numbers and reporting: NFL.com and ESPN for game-by-game and season stats, Pro-Football-Reference for career totals and historical context, and recent news reporting for items like injury updates and notable games. Those are the best places to check if you want the raw stat lines or game logs. (NFL.com)
Final thought
Justin Herbert is still young by quarterback standards and has already built an impressive career resume. Numbers like total passing yards and touchdown passes show he is a piece the Chargers build around. If you watch the rest of the 2025 season, your questions to look for are: does he reduce turnovers, stay healthy, and lead the Chargers deeper into the playoffs? Those things will sharpen how people rank him among the NFL’s best.