Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed their frustration during a recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the second quarter of the matchup, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith made contact with Herbert below the knees shortly after he released the ball. Herbert’s animated reaction, along with Harbaugh’s visible anger on the sideline, highlighted ongoing concerns regarding quarterback protection in the NFL.
Throughout the game, which resulted in a 25-10 victory for the Chargers, Herbert faced significant pressure. He was sacked five times and pressured on twelve occasions, leading to questions about officiating standards for quarterbacks. According to ESPN Research and NFL Next Gen Stats, Herbert has been hit 149 times and pressured 196 times this season, both of which are league highs.
Despite his customary stoic demeanor, Herbert’s outburst during the game has prompted discussions about whether he should advocate more for himself with officials. Harbaugh has previously noted that Herbert’s politeness may lead to him being overlooked for crucial calls. “I [complain] more than Justin does,” Harbaugh said, reflecting on the challenges faced by larger quarterbacks like Herbert, who stands at 6 feet 6 inches and weighs 240 pounds.
The statistics regarding penalties support Harbaugh’s concerns. Herbert has only received two accepted roughing the passer penalties this season, placing him second in the league. In contrast, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys leads with four. Since entering the league in 2020, Herbert has accumulated eight such penalties, ranking him fifth among quarterbacks, alongside notable players like Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff.
Several quarterbacks, including Herbert, believe that arguing with officials might not yield immediate results. “Arguing isn’t going to get me anywhere,” Herbert explained. Former players like Matt Ryan and Josh McCown emphasize the importance of maintaining credibility with officials while protecting oneself during games. “You don’t want to be the guy who cried wolf,” Ryan stated, highlighting the delicate balance quarterbacks must maintain with referees.
In a separate incident during the Los Angeles Rams game against the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Matthew Stafford experienced a similar issue. After being hit by outside linebacker Trevis Gipson, Stafford vocally expressed his frustration to the officials, hoping to influence future calls. Stafford, who is tied with Herbert for the most roughing penalties since 2020, remarked, “If I see something, I just try to make those guys aware.”
The topic of how quarterbacks draw penalties is complex. Players are often accused of exaggerating hits to prompt flags. For instance, during a game against the Miami Dolphins, Chargers players believed Tua Tagovailoa was overstating a hit he received, resulting in a roughing the passer penalty. Tagovailoa defended his actions, stating, “If somebody touches me, if they hit me and I fall, I’m falling.”
This season, Prescott leads the league in accepted roughing penalties, humorously acknowledging the difficulty of navigating interactions with officials. “I usually get fired up, mad that he didn’t give me the call,” he said, indicating the ongoing challenge of getting the benefit of the doubt.
Complaints regarding how Herbert is officiated intensified last season when he was sacked six times by the Cleveland Browns. Harbaugh publicly argued that Herbert was not receiving fair treatment from officials, even likening him to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal—too big to draw fouls. “I think he doesn’t get some of those calls when they should be called,” Harbaugh commented.
Despite his recent outburst, Herbert remains skeptical about the effectiveness of arguing with officials. “It’s out of my control,” he stated, acknowledging the limitations of his influence. As the Chargers prepare for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football,” Herbert’s ability to maintain composure while also advocating for himself will be closely watched.
The ongoing conversation about quarterback penalties raises critical questions about officiating standards in the NFL. Whether or not Herbert chooses to engage more with officials could impact not only his performance but also the broader landscape of how quarterbacks are protected in the league.
