Justin Patrick Herbert (born March 10, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, winning the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, before the Chargers selected him sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Herbert became the Chargers’ starting quarterback in the second game of his rookie season and held the position throughout the year. He set several rookie records, including most touchdown passes and 300-yard games by a first-year player, earning him the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In 2021, he became the first quarterback in Chargers history to pass for over 5,000 yards in a season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He signed a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension ahead of the 2023 season.
Early Life
Herbert was born in Eugene, Oregon, and attended Sheldon High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. During his junior season, he suffered a broken leg, which complicated recruitment. In his senior year, he passed for 3,130 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 543 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-State honors and was named Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Herbert received NCAA Division I FBS offers from Nevada and Oregon, along with interest from Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Montana State. He committed to Oregon in October 2015. Outside of sports, he co-founded the Sheldon High School Fishing Club and served as its president.
College Career
2016 Season
Herbert entered his freshman season as QB2 behind Dakota Prukop. He became the first true freshman at Oregon to start at quarterback since Chris Miller in 1983 when the Ducks faced Washington on October 8, 2016. Herbert set or equaled Oregon single-game records for total offensive yards (512), passing yards (489), and touchdown passes (6). He became the starter after five games, finishing with 1,936 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and only four interceptions in eight starts. He led a dramatic comeback victory over No. 11 Utah, throwing a 17-yard game-winning touchdown with two seconds remaining.
2017 Season
Herbert started the season under new head coach Willie Taggart, guiding Oregon to a 4–1 start. He fractured his collarbone on September 30, causing the Ducks to lose four of the next five games. Herbert returned to help Oregon finish the regular season with two wins and secure a bowl appearance. He completed 139 of 206 passes for 1,983 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while rushing 44 times for 183 yards and five touchdowns. He also earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors with a 4.08 GPA in biology.
2018 Season
Under head coach Mario Cristobal, Herbert adapted to a new pistol offense. He led Oregon to a 9–4 record and a Redbox Bowl victory, finishing the season with 3,151 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. His 31 total touchdowns ranked second in the Pac-12, and he earned Pac-12 All-Academic first-team recognition.
2019 Season
Justin Herbert returned for his senior year despite high NFL draft projections. He guided Oregon to a 12–2 record, including a Rose Bowl win where he ran for three touchdowns and earned Offensive MVP honors. Herbert finished the season with 3,471 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns. He received the William V. Campbell Trophy for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general science.
NFL Career
Justin Herbert joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. He immediately impressed as a rookie, setting multiple NFL rookie records. He became one of the highest-paid players in the league after signing a five-year, $262.5 million extension in 2023, averaging $52.5 million per year. Despite this massive contract, other quarterbacks, including Dak Prescott, later surpassed his annual salary.
Herbert maintains endorsement deals with Nike, Panini, Callaway, SoFi, TCL, Verizon, and Dr. Squatch, adding substantial income beyond his NFL salary.
As of Week 5 in 2025, Herbert has completed 2,062 of 3,104 passes for 22,322 yards, 145 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions, with a career passer rating of 96.4. Despite his regular-season success, he has not yet won a playoff game.
Personal Life
Justin Herbert reportedly began a relationship with singer Madison Beer in 2025. He maintains a private personal life and focuses on football while actively supporting his community and personal brands. His net worth currently stands at approximately $40 million.
