"It’s hard to stomach": Ex-Chargers DT predicts Matthew Stafford-like fate for Justin Herbert as $262.5M QB gets crushed behind LA's o-line vs. Texans

Justin Herbert has endured a challenging 2025 NFL season. Jim Harbaugh's second season with the LA Chargers has been better in terms of results (11-4 at the time of writing), but the punishment Herbert has received has raised eyebrows around the league. Herbert was sacked 49 times before the Week 17 duel against the Houston Texans.

With 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, the Texans had sacked him five times. Former Chargers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko reacted to all the punishment Herbert received again, comparing him to Matthew Stafford.

"Justin Herbert will be the next Mathew Stafford. It’s hard to stomach Charger fans but he’s on that path right now," Fehoko wrote.

It is unclear if he meant that Herbert would finish his career on a strong note, as Stafford with the LA Rams, or if he will continue to get punished behind a deficient offensive line for many years until he gets traded to a different team.

The former No. 6 overall pick has been sacked 220 times during his six-year NFL career. The Chargers have made moves to protect him, such as drafting OT Joe Alt. However, they still have work to do to make sure Herbert gets taken care of.

Edited by Orlando Silva