There’s been quite a bit of consternation about the Chargers’ passing game this season, led by offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and enacted by quarterback Justin Herbert. It is indeed a mystery why a quarterback with Herbert’s arm talent has been allowed to throw the ball deep on just 27 attempts heading into the Chargers’ Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Herbert had completed 13 of those passes of 20 or more air yards for 392 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
There was one pass Herbert threw against the Seahawks that will not add to his quiver of explosive passing plays in any form or fashion.
Early in the fourth quarter, Herbert tried to hit receiver Mike Williams over the middle, but Williams couldn’t hang on, the ball went back in Herbert’s direction, and… well, here’s what it looked like in the box score.
(13:40) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 10-J.Herbert to LAC 25 for -8 yards (10-U.Nwosu).
And here’s what it looked like on the field. It wasn’t technically a sack since Herbert was a receiver at that point, but the effect was the same. Uchenna Nwosu, the former Chargers edge-rusher who has become a star for Seattle this season, was on the case.
I think this is the 1st time this has happened this year pic.twitter.com/sLmzQ9vayd
— alex (@highlghtheaven) October 23, 2022
This will not rival the greatest self-catch in NFL history — of course, that was accomplished by Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers against the Atlanta Falcons in 1993.
This, on the other hand, is not how anybody in the Chargers organization wanted this to look.
