John Middlekauff Fires at Justin Herbert’s Critics; Quotes Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid Duo to Justify LA Chargers’ Comeback Under Jim Harbaugh

The Los Angeles Chargers have been in the face of criticism for all of the offseason now! Matters against former HC Brandon Staley started rising primarily from the 31-30 playoff loss to the Jaguars in the 2022 season, turning out to be the “third-largest comeback” in playoff history. While the critics’ opinions were still brewing against the Staley-led LA team, the 2023 season of 14 games with a 5-9 record acted like a nail in the coffin for the Herbert-Staley duo to work together in the Chargers arena.

Amidst this, criticism against Herbert or the coaching he has worked under has not reduced in any sense. In a recent episode of 3 & Out with John Middlekauff, the host explained his take on how matters have paved out for the young QB and why Herbert and Harbaugh would be a perfect fit, citing the example of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. The former NFL scout took up a fan question that asked him if any other quarterback had as much success as the 26-year-old “despite having awful coaches every single year in his career.” While the question looked in Herbert’s favor, it opened the door to Middlekauff’s answers to the regular criticism the 26-year-old receives in the competitive league.

Reading out the names of the coaches Herbert has worked with, the host stated, “I think that is a terrible list.” Looking at the numbers put up by them in their seasons with the LA team, there would be an agreement to that statement from all ends. In his 3 years with LAC, Staley shows a number of 24-24 for his 48 coached games. This ended with him being fired in Week 15 of the last season. Anthony Lynn, much like his successor, did not take the Chargers to any great heights. With a similar 33-31 record in 64 games, Lynn’s era continued to witness a major downfall.

However, in view of the coaching impact in the NFL, the former scout in the league was quick to point out the possible success Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert will bring under their able leadership. “A lot of people push back- overrated. He’s not that good. We’re about to find out because I’ll promise you this, in a couple years you ain’t gonna be saying that. You put him with Jim Harbaugh, maybe all those guys had to happen, so he could link up with Jim Harbaugh.”

To back his perspective of an HC’s role on the side, Middlekauff put forth some HC-QB duos where the role of guidance has provided major success. “Just think about the best coaches or Quarterbacks in the league, Mahomes-Andy Reid: Hall of Famer, Lamar Jackson-John Harbaugh: Hall of Famer, Josh Allen-Sean McDermott, he wins 11-12 games every single year. I’d say Sean McDermott is pretty good. I wouldn’t put him on John Harbaugh or Andy’s level but he is clearly a high-end coach in the NFL. So, who your coach is, it is hard to overcome.”

In fact, Middlekauff bringing in the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and HC Andy Reid, a hall-of-fame coach who helped put the quarterback on the map, allows the perspective of coaching importance in the NFL to brew further. With Herbert getting a chance to work with Jim Harbaugh and his experience in the league, it might just end up being the 26-year-old’s best season yet. Harbaugh’s 44-19 record with a tie in 1 game in 64 total games paint a fair enough picture of his excellence.

This, along with his recent NCAA National Championship victory, would put enough fear of the QB-coach duo in the opposition’s mind. The view though comes forth after Harbaugh expressed his outlook for the LA side along with working in connection with Justin Herbert.

Jim Harbaugh’s plans for his Chargers partnership with Justin Herbert!

Earlier this year, when Jim Harbaugh joined the Chargers, the coach could not help but share his anticipation for the upcoming season. The HC stated, “It just feels like there is a new lift and energy in the building. I see that eagerness in the players. Maybe that’s just because I’m so eager, but I truly see it, an eagerness with our guys. A good first day.”

At his first press conference for Los Angeles, the 60-year-old wound up promising fans “multiple championships,” and a hunger to be the best. “One thing I know is Los Angeles, Southern California, they respect talent, effort and winning,” stated Harbaugh. While he may be right about what the fans want, there is no doubt that the team has a long way to go before they expectedly achieve their goals with the adjustment to new roles.

However, that was not all the HC dwelled on during his interaction with the media. The former Michigan coach also ended up revealing just how awestruck he was with the team’s quarterback, Justin Herbert.

In a rather delightful manner, the 60-year-old had called the quarterback “a crown jewel in the NFL.” Emphasizing the need to focus on the running game and continue their “O-line centric space” in TEs coach Andy Bischoff’s words, coach Harbaugh appears to have his plan rightfully set out. With only a few months left before the upcoming season begins, Harbaugh might just have his work cut out for him. How do you think the 2024 season will kick off for the Jim Harbaugh-Justin Herbert-led team? Let us know your thoughts below!