Justin Herbert

Herbert's carry share trended up through 2025 (45%) and he set a career high in rushing yards while extending plays behind a shaky line, a pattern that directly led to the scramble hit that fractured his non-throwing hand and required in-season surgery.

New OC Mike McDaniel has reworked Herbert's shotgun footwork to speed up his release, and first-year scheme installs commonly produce early-season timing friction with the receiving corps before the mechanical gains show up in production.

New OC Mike McDaniel has specifically retooled Herbert's shotgun mechanics for a quicker release and more YAC, and has intentionally scaled back Herbert's offseason throwing load to keep him fresh for a real run at 'the next level of his career' per Harbaugh and McDaniel's own comments.

The return of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt gives Herbert his deepest, healthiest offensive line in years, which should cut down on the pressure and scramble situations that drove his 2025 hand injury and career-high rushing volume.

Herbert faces zero real competition at QB (Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei are pure backups) and closed 2025 on a 100% snap share across his final four games, guaranteeing every-down volume into 2026.