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The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny fantasy football takes on Justin Herbert
Every source-backed podcast insight STACKED has extracted from The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny about Justin Herbert.
10
Insights
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Insight ledger
All The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny insights about Justin Herbert
NegativeRoleSep 22, 2026
Herbert's performance is hampered by systemic offensive line and run game execution failures; Mina Kimes emphasizes the marriage between quarterback and play caller is broken, with execution flaws on every play involving different personnel—fullback Alec Ingold described as 'horrible' despite being on Kimes' all-pro list, center Cole Strange a 'complete liability in pass protection' and providing no run-game value, and left guard Trey Pipkins dealing with knee injury that may force Trevor Penning into the starting role.NegativeRoleSep 22, 2026
Mina Kimes expressed regret about not questioning the fit between Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel's offensive system in the offseason. She noted that Herbert is uncomfortable in the Chargers' pocket structure, doesn't want to throw timing routes blind as McDaniel's scheme requires, and takes too many hits. The combination of a poor pocket shape, uncomfortable quarterback, and timing-route demands creates an unmitigated disaster on every play.NegativeUsageSep 8, 2026
Mina Kimes notes that Justin Herbert has frequently faced immediate pressure, often having three defensive linemen in his lap as soon as he hits his drop.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Nate Tice remains highly bullish on Justin Herbert's potential for the upcoming season, despite concerns regarding the Chargers' offensive line and defensive coordinator changes.PositiveUsageSep 1, 2026
Justin Herbert's preseason usage in the new Mike McDaniel offense featured heavy play-action, pistol formations, and a variety of personnel groupings (21, 12, 13), signaling a shift toward a more complex, motion-heavy scheme.PositiveProjectionAug 10, 2026
Ben Solak notes that Justin Herbert has risen significantly in MVP odds and has a strong case for the award. However, Kimes and Solak both suggest that if the Chargers have an explosive offensive season, the narrative credit might lean more toward head coach Mike McDaniel rather than Herbert himself, potentially complicating his path to the award compared to Burrow.PositiveRoleJul 27, 2026
Mina Kimes highlights the Chargers' acquisition of Mike McDaniel as 'rocket fuel' for Justin Herbert, noting the addition of a full season of Hampton and the return of both starting tackles. She views the Chargers' offensive line as potentially very good and sees the team's ability to manage injuries last year as impressive, suggesting McDaniel's hire (positioned as a Josh McDaniels-level upgrade) combined with improved personnel could drive a significant team jump.NegativeMatchupJul 27, 2026
Mina Kimes identifies Justin Herbert as one of only four good quarterbacks the Ravens face all year, as part of her analysis of Baltimore's favorable schedule.PositiveRoleJul 22, 2026
McDaniel's offensive scheme is designed to keep Herbert out of obvious drop-back situations and win on early downs through an emphasis on run game and pass protection improvements; the addition of a center and retention of good tackles supports this approach.PositiveProjectionJul 22, 2026
Herbert showed top-10 quarterback performance when throwing under 2.5 seconds (7th in success rate, 10th in EPA), indicating the Chargers' offensive line issues—not Herbert's ability—were the primary problem last year. With new offensive line help and scheme adjustments including changed footwork in OTAs/mini camp, Herbert has significant upside in the Shanahan system, especially given the historical trend that Shanahan-tree play callers with legit quarterbacks throw for ~45 touchdowns per year (Burrow, Matt Ryan, Stafford, Baker Mayfield examples).