Justin Herbert, the “finesse” label, and the version of him the Chargers insist they saw all along
The LA franchise has an image, and identity, and Chad Alexander is clear how their quarterback leads it.
Justin Herbert’s reputation has long carried a soft edge in the national conversation: big arm, clean mechanics, a quarterback who wins with touch and timing more than force. Chad Alexander does not buy any of it.
When the Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM joined Jourdan Rodrigue on the NFL Daily Power Players podcast, he said the organization never walked in the building viewing Herbert through a “finesse” lens. “First of all, the guy’s a specimen,” Alexander said. “I mean, he’s huge physically and, you know, really tough mentally, really tough physically.”
Rugged Herbert sets the Chargers tone
That matters because the Chargers have built their entire roster around a blunt premise: they want to be “extremely tough” and “extremely physical,” something that mirrors head coach Jim Harbaugh. For that to work, the quarterback cannot feel like an exception and Alexander argued that Herbert has instead become proof of concept.
He pointed to Herbert’s willingness to play through injuries, including what Alexander described as the “non-throwing hand,” his leadership by example. “It’s inspirational to his teammates,” he said, adding that Herbert’s approach is “empowering for the rest of the team.”
The most revealing detail was the way Alexander framed Herbert’s personality: not flashy, not performative, and not interested in optics. Herbert has “a no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything,” Alexander said, and the Chargers very much see that as part of their identity.
Next up for the Chargers is a trip to Dallas to face the Cowboys, and you can follow the action live right here on AS USA with our very own Cowgirl, the always entertaining Jennifer Bubel.
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