Justin Herbert is on Bill Barnwell's short list for possible NFL MVP candidates in 2022.
The Chargers QB was among 13 players the ESPN football expert mentioned earlier this week who could take home the coveted award, with Barnwell picking a comparable season from a player who won a previous MVP award.
Barnwell's comp for Herbert was Brett Favre in 1995, when the Packers QB threw for 4,413 yards with 38 touchdowns.
After being traded by the Falcons to the Packers before the 1992 season, Favre wasn't an instant success. He was a little better than league-average in 1992 and led the NFL in interceptions during a disappointing 1993 before getting back on track in 1994. The future Hall of Famer threw 33 touchdown passes against 14 picks, so while the 9-7 Packers were dropped comfortably by the Cowboys in the divisional round, Favre looked like he was one step away from competing with Troy Aikman and Steve Young in the NFC.
In 1995, he took about four steps forward. He led the league for the first time in passing yards, jumping a full yard per attempt over his mark in 1994. The Packers hit double-digit wins for the first of 10 times under their young quarterback. He won the first of three consecutive MVP awards. Green Bay still came up short against the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game, but it would break through for a Super Bowl victory the following season.
Take a look at some of the best shots of Justin Herbert's 2022 offseason
And he said Herbert could be in line for similar, if not higher, production in his third season in the league.
The quarterback most often compared to Favre is Josh Allen, and the only reason I don't have him here is that he's already a star. We know Herbert's capable of the spectacular -- just watch his string of fourth-down conversions against the Raiders in Week 18 -- but he hasn't yet produced a full season like Favre in 1995 or Allen in 2020. Allen posted a 120 ANY/A+ that season (100 is league-average), while Favre got up to 130 during his first MVP season. Herbert has been solidly above-average over his first two seasons, with a 108 ANY/A+ mark as a rookie and 109 last season.
With the Chargers retaining wideout Mike Williams and using a first-round pick on lineman Zion Johnson, there aren't many weak spots on the Los Angeles offense. The organization seems committed to letting Herbert throw at one of the league's highest rates in neutral situations. Everything you would want to have in place for an MVP campaign is here. In the crucible of the 2022 AFC West, it's not difficult to imagine Herbert thriving.
Herbert has thrived plenty in his first two seasons in the league, as he ranks first in passing yards (9,350) and touchdown passes (69) among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 600 passes over their first two seasons.
Barnwell's full list of potential MVP candidates can be found here.
Secure your 2022 Season Ticket Memberships today! Click here to learn more.
James, Linsley also listed in top 10 of their respective position groups
Chargers signed top-tier cornerback as free agent this offseason
The two former Chargers coaches have advanced to the next round of consideration for the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
NFL.com's Nick Shook picked potential candidate from each AFC team
Bolts are one of two teams with multiple players on Jeremy Fowler's list
Formers Bolts QB recently inducted into Reese's Senior Bowl Hall of Fame
Chargers are PFF writer Ben Linsey's top-ranked squad in the AFC West
Chargers Head Coach among five NFL head coaches mentioned
Edelman unveiled list on Monday's "I Am Athlete" podcast
This offensive lineman was the pick by Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated
Winston, a "winning machine", took home the honors at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Uncle Ardy from Pirnia Law Group shows off his Chargers buses that can be seen around SoFi Stadium on gameday.
The Chargers announced a new multi-year partnership with Fresh Vine Wine, owned by entrepreneurs Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough, to feature their wine at select bars at SoFi Stadium! To celebrate the announcement, Dobrev and Hough cheered on the Chargers at the team's first home game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, August 22.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, Inglewood Unified School District, and Brotherhood Crusade, SoFi celebrated the graduation of 14 young scholars from the Bolt Academy program. The program is designed to offer juniors and seniors from Inglewood high schools the opportunity to participate in a six month after-school program to develop leadership and job-readiness skills.
Entrepreneurs Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough crash the Los Angeles Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers preseason game at SoFi Stadium! Join them for a vlog of their tour of the one-of-a-kind NFL stadium as they promote their lifestyle wine brand, Fresh Vine Wine.
Nearly 150 local Girl Scouts came together for a day of flag football skills and fundamentals on the Bolts' training camp fields at Jack Hammett Sports Complex.
Celebrities Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough partner with the Chargers for a new SoFi Stadium offering.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed safety JT Woods to a rookie contract. The Bolts selected Woods in the third round with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed running back Isaiah Spiller to a rookie contract. The Bolts selected Spiller in the fourth round with the No. 123 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed guard Zion Johnson to a rookie contract. The Bolts selected Johnson with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed defensive lineman Morgan Fox.
The Los Angeles Chargers today claimed guard/tackle Zack Bailey off waivers.
The Los Angeles Chargers announced that they signed five players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft to rookie contracts — UCLA defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (No. 160 overall), Georgia offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (No. 195), Wake Forest defensive back Ja'Sir Taylor (No. 214), Mississippi defensive back Deane Leonard (No. 236) and Purdue fullback Zander Horvath (No. 260).
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed cornerback Bryce Callahan.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with the following undrafted free agents on Saturday after the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft:
Take a look back at the Chargers draft picks through the years as the start of the 2022 NFL Draft draws near and who the Chargers will select with their first round pick will be revealed.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed center/guard Will Clapp.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed linebacker Troy Reeder.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed wide receiver DeAndre Carter.
Go behind the scenes of the Chargers blockbuster 2022 free agency on this special offseason episode of All In powered by Bud Light. See how the acquisitions of six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack, star cornerback J.C. Jackson and more came together as the Bolts begin loading up for the arms race for the AFC West.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed tight end Gerald Everett.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed punter JK Scott.
The Los Angeles Chargers today agreed to terms with defensive lineman Christian Covington.
The Los Angeles Chargers today re-signed quarterback Chase Daniel.
The Los Angeles Chargers today re-signed kicker Dustin Hopkins to a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers today agreed to terms with Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive lineman Austin Johnson and long snapper Josh Harris.
The Los Angeles Chargers today announced the team has acquired outside linebacker Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears. In exchange, the Chargers will send a 2022 second-round draft pick and a 2023 sixth-round selection to Chicago.
The Los Angeles Chargers today placed tenders on wide receiver Jalen Guyton, tackle Storm Norton and tight end Donald Parham Jr.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a multi-year contract extension.
Drue Tranquill and Uchenna Nwosu battle it out in a duel of Super Smash Bros in this episode of Let's Play! Presented by Southern California McDonald's.
Chris Rumph and Tre' McKitty face off in NBA 2K21 by EA Sports in this episode of Pass the Sticks powered by Toyota.
Go behind the scenes of creating the 2021 Chargers and their new identity on the season finale of All In powered by Bud Light. Look back at some of the Bolts landmark games of the year, including wins over the Kansas City Chiefs & Cincinnati Bengals, as the team begins to prepare for the 2022 combine, the NFL Draft and beyond.
© 2021 Chargers Football Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This website is managed on a digital platform of the National Football League.