Albert Breer Backs Justin Herbert For MVP Leap As Chargers Enter 2026 Season

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is once again at the center of growing expectations heading into the 2026 NFL season, with optimism building that this year could mark a turning point in his career trajectory. Despite consistent individual production since entering the league in 2020, team success has remained limited, with postseason runs ending in the Wild Card round.

That narrative may be shifting, according to NFL analyst Albert Breer, who has projected Herbert as a legitimate MVP candidate for the upcoming season. Breer’s outlook is rooted in both organizational changes and a belief that the Chargers’ offensive structure is poised for a significant leap.

The Chargers enter 2026 with renewed expectations following a series of offseason moves designed to maximize Herbert’s skill set and improve overall efficiency. The franchise has focused heavily on reshaping its offensive identity after several seasons of inconsistency in key moments.

With new coaching influences, upgraded personnel, and returning health across the roster, Los Angeles is aiming to translate long-standing potential into tangible success.

1. Offensive System Overhaul And Coaching Influence

A major storyline for the Chargers this offseason has been the arrival of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, a move intended to modernize and diversify the team’s offensive approach. His system is expected to emphasize creativity, tempo, and explosive play design tailored to Herbert’s strengths. The collaboration between McDaniel and head coach Jim Harbaugh has generated significant league interest, as both bring distinct philosophies that could blend into a more dynamic offensive structure. The goal is to create a system that maximizes efficiency while reducing predictability. Early projections suggest the Chargers could target an average of around 25 points per game, a mark that would place them near the top tier of NFL offenses. Such production would represent a notable increase from recent seasons and align with Breer’s optimism about Herbert’s statistical ceiling. A more balanced attack is also expected to emerge, with improved run-game efficiency playing a key role in opening passing opportunities for Herbert.

2. Personnel Upgrades And Health Returns

The Chargers’ offensive transformation has also been supported by key roster additions and returning players. Tight end David Njoku joins the passing game as an additional red-zone and intermediate threat, giving Herbert another reliable target in critical situations. In addition, the expected return of offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater from injury is viewed as one of the most important developments of the offseason. Their presence is expected to stabilize the offensive line and improve protection consistency. Those improvements are particularly significant for Herbert, who has often been tasked with operating under pressure due to injuries and depth issues along the front line in previous seasons. Better protection is expected to directly impact both efficiency and turnover reduction. The combination of personnel upgrades and schematic adjustments gives Los Angeles one of its most complete offensive setups during Herbert’s tenure.

3. Herbert’s Performance And MVP Outlook

Despite team struggles in previous seasons, Herbert has maintained strong individual production, including a 2025 campaign that featured 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 66.4 percent completion rate. He also earned his second Pro Bowl selection during that span. However, turnovers remained an area of concern, as Herbert threw 13 interceptions last season, a figure the team is aiming to reduce under the new offensive structure. Limiting mistakes will be a key factor in determining whether the Chargers can take the next step competitively. Breer’s MVP projection hinges on both statistical improvement and team success, particularly if the Chargers can elevate their scoring output into the upper tier of the league. A more efficient offense would likely place Herbert in the center of award conversations. As the 2026 season approaches, expectations continue to rise that this could be the year Herbert converts long-anticipated potential into an MVP-caliber campaign.