Herbert overhauling – Justin Herbert says he’s overhauling his footwork to speed up his throwing release in Mike McDaniel’s system, using weighted free-ball drills during Tuesday’s OTA practice and emphasizing getting the ball out early to beat the pass rush.
Justin Herbert didn’t throw a football during Tuesday’s OTA practice. Instead, he worked through his throwing motion while using a weighted free ball for footwork drills—part of an overhaul aimed at speeding up the time between the snap and the release.
The Chargers quarterback said he expects to keep that approach going one day a week into the season. Herbert framed the change as relief for his current focus: the reps let him concentrate on timing and footwork without the added pressure of throwing the ball every time.
“I thought it was helpful for my footwork just to be able . . . not to have to worry about throwing the ball right now,” Herbert said. He added that the mechanics come with a slightly different timing while he’s training the movement. “He wants the ball out early. We feel like that is going to help us get the ball out quicker.”.
For McDaniel’s offense, anticipation is everything—and Herbert is putting the work in to sharpen it. He described emphasis on early reads and early release in the opening weeks of practice, aiming to get the ball out before receivers even have to look back for it.
“We really emphasized the first couple of weeks of just getting the ball out as quick as possible,” Herbert said. “Almost getting to a point where the receivers haven’t looked back for it yet. and that just allows them to catch the ball with maximum ability to turn upfield and have time before a defender gets to them.”.
Herbert’s push for quicker throws carries weight because of what happened around him last season. He was the most hit and pressured quarterback in the league. with Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt playing a combined six games. Even with that context. Herbert acknowledged part of the problem was on him at times. taking responsibility for some hits and pressures when he held the ball too long.
Now, he expects the change to show up in how quickly he can get the ball out. McDaniel’s goal, Herbert said, is to take away the pass rush—something he believes can happen if the release comes fast enough.
“I think he’s just got a great feel for the game and I think he understands how defenses are ever changing and it’s his goal to be able to take away the pass rush,” Herbert said. “If you’re getting the ball out quickly, there’s really nothing they can do about it.”
That’s the point of the drill work and the footwork overhaul: shorten the window, reduce the pressure that arrived so often last season, and help turn anticipation into a habit—not something Herbert has to think his way through once the pocket tightens.
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers Mike McDaniel OTA practice weighted free ball footwork drills quarterback release Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater Joe Alt pass rush
Weighted ball? So he’s training to throw faster or like… stronger?
I mean if he doesn’t throw during OTA then how do we know it helps. Sounds like McDaniel just wants more trick stuff instead of actual plays.
Wait so he’s doing weighted free ball drills for his feet, but he expects to keep it weekly into the season? That feels like overthinking to me. Pass rush is gonna rush anyway lol.
This is probably why he always looks like he’s getting the ball out late… like maybe the timing is different now? Also weighted ball sounds like it would mess up your arm strength unless you’re careful. I’m glad they emphasized early reads though, even if OTA doesn’t mean much.