Jim Harbaugh explains Justin Herberts unusual offseason workload management

After spending much of the spring on a modified practice schedule, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is set to take another step forward this week.Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Tuesday that Herbert will throw during all three days of mandatory minicamp as part of a carefully constructed progression designed to prepare the franchise quarterback for training camp and the start of the 2026 season.“We got a plan,” Harbaugh said, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim.“We got a nice progression where he’s ramping up to training camp and the first game of the season and the entire season.

So he’s in a ramp up.”Herbert’s limited throwing workload throughout organized team activities wasn’t injury-related, according to the team.Instead, it was part of a broader effort by new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to overhaul portions of the quarterback’s mechanics.During several OTA practices, Herbert didn’t throw at all, instead working through footwork drills while carrying a weighted exercise ball.

The goal was to speed up his release, improve timing, and help him get the ball out faster within McDaniel’s offensive system.“It’s only going to help us, getting the ball out in a position where receivers can turn up the field and make something happen,” Herbert said earlier this offseason.The emphasis comes after a difficult 2025 campaign in which Herbert absorbed 54 sacks and was among the NFL’s most frequently pressured quarterbacks.While Herbert still threw for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns.After the season the Chargers fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and hired McDaniel.McDaniel has stressed anticipation throws and timing concepts throughout the offseason, encouraging Herbert to trust the structure of the offense rather than relying solely on his elite arm talent or athleticism.Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, McDaniel reportedly put together a presentation featuring hundreds of clips from Herbert’s career alongside examples ...