Chargers QB Justin Herbert positioned to finish with most pass attempts in 2021
The Chargers found success last season when they kept the ball in the hands of reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert went on to finish the year with 595 passing attempts, marking the fourth-most in the NFL.
Had he played in the season-opener, Herbert could have possibly had the most in the league over Matt Ryan (624), given the fact that he was averaging 39 passes per game.
This upcoming season, Herbert is in a position to finish as the league leader in that category.
Joe Lombardi’s offenses average the most passing attempts among all offensive coordinators and offensive-minded head coaches with previous NFL experience as a play-caller.
During his time as the Lions OC in 2014, Lombardi ran a very pass-happy offense that averaged 39.35 passing attempts per game.
That season, QB Matthew Stafford finished fifth in the league in attempts (605), according to Fantasy Points’ Graham Barfield. No matter the situation Detroit was in, Lombardi still allowed Stafford to air it out.
When games were within a score, 63% of the plays were passes (2nd-highest rate). When the Lions were ahead, 54% of the plays were passes (7th). When they were trailing, 69% of the time it was a pass (13th).
With the way Los Angeles’ offense is built with the revamped line and his pass-catching weapons coupled with Lombardi’s philosophy of shaping it around his strengths like he did with Saints’ Drew Brees and Stafford, it should allow Herbert to distribute the wealth early and often.
With that being said, don’t be surprised if Herbert is sitting atop of the league in passes attempted and pushing for over 5,000 passing yards in 2021.
