Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, a former 4.0 student, ready to study whole new offense

Justin Herbert always wanted to know the why and how about the world around him. 

It ran in the family. Both his grandfather and father were biologists, so the young Herbert felt drawn to natural-science studies throughout his formative years and academic career.

“It just explained how everything worked,” Herbert, coming off his first season as quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers, told USA TODAY Sports. “Everything you see around you has a reason, and whether it’s how you breathe or how your cells work together, it’s always been really interesting.”

The thirst for answers drove Herbert in the classroom through college, where as a three-time Academic All-American, he graduated from Oregon with a degree in biology and a 4.01 grade-point average. But he credits his parents’ emphasis on academics and cultivating his mental makeup for his success on the football field. 

The 6-6, 241-pound quarterback clearly possesses exceptional physical talent.

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After taking over as the Chargers’ starter in Week 2, he orchestrated a rookie of the year campaign that saw him break NFL rookie records for the most passing touchdowns (31) and completions (396).

But the mental strength – learning and reacting quickly, poise, preparedness – ultimately elevated Herbert. As he aims to follow up that impressive rookie campaign with an offseason of growth, despite a wave of organizational change, he’ll have to lean heavily on his studious habits. 

A new crew

The offseason following a rookie year traditionally represents a crucial developmental period for quarterbacks. But outside of the experiences gained from playing this past season, Herbert will have very little continuity to build upon in Year 2. Instead, he must spend this time learning a new coaching staff, a new offense and new terminology. 

However, Herbert views his budding relationships with new head coach Brandon Staley with excitement, and views the 38-year-old coach’s unconventional background as an asset. 

(Staley started two seasons at quarterback for the University of Dayton from 2003-04 before getting into coaching, and he landed his first head-coaching job just four years after breaking into the NFL ranks as a defensive assistant. He served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020 before the crosstown Chargers hired him as head coach in January.)

“He’s been awesome so far," Herbert said. “... He’s a defensive coach, but he also played quarterback so he knows both sides of the ball, so whether I want to talk to him about offense or defense, he’s got a great feel for the game."

Last season, COVID-19 restrictions robbed NFL teams, and rookies in particular, of the traditional offseason preparation. To make up for lost time, Herbert – who entered training camp and the regular season as the backup to Tyrod Taylor – spent additional time with then-quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton outside of practice to better learn the offense.

The goal “was to prepare as if you’re the starting quarterback, and that’s something that coach Pep Hamilton and I focused on. We’d be out on the field before practice, after practice, walking through the plays, walking through the footwork, mechanics, everything you could think about, so if and when I did have to go in, I’d be ready," Herbert said.

As with biology, the more Herbert studied the Chargers’ playbook and defenses, he gained an understanding of the reasons why and how things worked in the NFL. 

“You understand why it’s happening, why they’re doing that," he said. "Why certain teams play certain fronts. Why they bring these pressures ... When you’re up at the line of scrimmage, it has to be so quick. It just needs to be understood immediately. There’s no time to sit back and think."

Lessons from a blowout

Herbert endured highs and lows during the Chargers’ 7-9 campaign. But one of his greatest sources of encouragement centers around his most challenging rookie experience: The Week 13 45-0 blowout loss at home against New England. 

That game represented the only shutout Herbert can ever remember during his playing career on any level. He threw two interceptions and completed a season-low 49% of his passes. 

Reflecting on that, Herbert said, “It’s just one of those things you have to move on past. Adversity is going to happen and you’re going to throw interceptions and incompletions. It’s all about the next play, next drive, next series, next game."

Then came the response Herbert and the Chargers take pride in. They reeled off four consecutive victories to close out the season. Herbert led a fourth-quarter comeback and directed game-winning drives in three of those four wins. 

That stretch run cemented NFL offensive rookie of the year honors for Herbert. His play and the accolades helped further raise his profile. He recently joined Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, country music artist Dierks Bentley and NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney as ambassadors for the upstart apparel company Flag & Anthem.

After taking a few weeks off to allow his body to recover, he has ramped up his training program. While waiting to receive the Chargers’ new playbook from offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who previously served as the Saints’ quarterback coach, Herbert is studying New Orleans' offense in hopes of getting a preview.

It’s possible, and maybe even likely, that NFL teams will not have offseason practices this year, meaning Herbert’s Year 2 on-field work will have to take place on his own and unsupervised. 

As someone who still loves to learn, Herbert expects to manage. 

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.