The Los Angeles Chargers just missed out on the playoffs in 2021 after a strange game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 of last year where both teams could have made it into the playoffs with a tie in the game.
The Raiders decided to ultimately kick the game-winning field goal as time expired in overtime, ending their division rival’s season.
Despite the unfortunate result at the end of the 2021 season, the Chargers are looking like one of the most promising teams heading into the 2022 NFL season.
Much of that is due to the impressive play that quarterback Justin Herbert has shown so far in his young career. Herbert flashed his brilliance in 2021, throwing for over 5,000 yards with a career-high 39 passing touchdowns. He is quickly becoming one of the top young stars in the NFL and may have made a drastic change this offseason that can take his game to another level next year.
Herbert spoke to the media on Monday after the first day of Chargers minicamp, and reporters took notice of some added muscle that Herbert has put on throughout this NFL offseason.
He was asked about the change to his body this offseason, telling reporters that he is now up to 245 pounds thanks to the Chargers’ strength and conditioning program.
“Just lifting, we’ve just been getting after it, and thankful to [strength and conditioning coach] Jonathan Brooks, who’s been leading the charge,” Herbert said.
Justin Herbert out here looking buff
👀👀👀👀He’s been hitting the weights this
off-season 🏋️♀️🏋️♀️🏋️♀️💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾#Chargers #boltup pic.twitter.com/6gu8ueuvJd— Timothy Parker (@TimothyParkertv) May 24, 2022
Many around the NFL world are taking notice of Herbert’s improved physique:
Myles hiccups and a random test shows up in his face. Meanwhile Justin Herbert is walking around looking like Hercules Hernandez. https://t.co/jL0efuW2j3
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) May 24, 2022
Hebert in his prime https://t.co/DI16ytwAtc pic.twitter.com/greLrHTVA8
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) May 24, 2022
So he’s 6’6” and weighs 245lbs?! That’s a large dude https://t.co/NEi16iTVib
— Packer Enthusiast (@CHead012) May 24, 2022
#BestShapeOfHisLife https://t.co/hRysNkkafY
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) May 24, 2022
the justin herbert swole evolution
continues pic.twitter.com/zSWJCPYsaI— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 22, 2022
Herbert will certainly need to be at the top of his game considering all the moves that opposing teams in the AFC West have done to get better this offseason.
The Broncos brought in Russell Wilson and will look entirely different in 2022. The Raiders acquired Davante Adams in a huge blockbuster trade. The Chiefs are simply the Chiefs, and will remain in contention as long as Patrick Mahomes is still on the field for the team.
The Chargers should certainly be in that mix atop the division as long as Herbert continues his impressive play next year.
