After just one playoff appearance throughout his tenure, the arrival of head coach Jim Harbaugh was a major boost for Justin Herbert. Immediately making it back to the postseason, it got that monkey off his back. However, from a statistical standpoint, the year saw his production take a noticeable dip. Going into Year 2, the Los Angeles Chargers will not only look for better numbers from Herbert, but also a deeper run in the playoffs.
After the first preseason game, even with a majority of the playing time going to backups, third-stringers, and practice squad members only, it looks like the franchise could be on the right trajectory. After the Hall of Fame Game, their slate of preseason action gets underway against the New Orleans Saints. Will Harbaugh stick to his guns of resting the starters, or is there a change in his game plan incoming?
Will Justin Herbert and Key Chargers Starters Play in Preseason Week 1?
Last week, the story of the game was the work put in by backup quarterback Trey Lance. In a spectacular outing, he posted 120 yards and two touchdowns while completing 13 of his 20 passing attempts against the Lions.
His performance became the foundation of the Chargers’ dominant 34-7 win. A passer rating of 114.6 just confirmed what a dominant night it was for the former first-round pick. However, despite his strong showing, he won’t be starting against the Saints this week.
Instead, he’ll come on later, as Harbaugh gives Taylor Heinicke and the rest of the bench the start to test out the depth of his roster. The team’s official website confirmed the decision.
But later in the night, Lance is expected back on the field to guide the offense. As far as the starting unit, beginning with Herbert, is concerned, the legendary college football coach is sticking to his usual plan of not giving starters a majority of the reps.
As a result, Herbert, who has yet to compile a single minute of playing time in the preseason during his NFL career, will again skip out on the game. His year likely begins in Brazil when Los Angeles takes on the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.
After a career-low in passing yards and touchdowns last year, the Chargers have to be hoping for a bounce-back year from their superstar quarterback, especially with the reunion with Keenan Allen and the addition of Tre Harris in the offseason.
Saints Vs Chargers (1-0) Preseason WK1 Breakdown
– 4PM EST.
🖊️ Depth Charts
🖊️ Thread of Who’s in and Who’s out
🖊️ Included in Thread expected playing time for QBs and other notables.🏈 All of this information was found through various articles and I put them together… pic.twitter.com/rXGKi6bPjX
— Ty The Football Guy (@TyTheFootbalGuy) August 10, 2025
As far as the rest of the starters against New Orleans are concerned, the biggest question mark that the organization needs an answer to is the gap left by Rashawn Slater being declared out for the entire 2025 season.
The likely possibility is that Jamaree Salyer will be the one to fill the role again, after taking over in 2022 when Slater also dealt with a bicep injury.
