We have entered the top 5 of quarterbacks who the Chiefs will face in 2025. Unlike No. 6 on our list, Kansas City has had plenty of success against this QB. Let’s jump right in.
No. 5: Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
A first-round pick by the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert is entering his sixth NFL season. He’s is in a bit of a gray area among quarterbacks around the league, as some consider him elite, and others believe he’s more in the mid-tier.
The lack of big game success, particularly during the postseason, has definitely been a black eye on Herbert’s career thus far. He owns an 0-2 record in the playoffs, and each loss was pretty brutal.
In the 2022 wild-card round he and the Chargers blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars, losing 31-30. During a 2024 wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans, Herbert threw four interceptions and completed just 43 percent of his passes in a 32-12 blowout loss.
Still just 27 years old, there’s plenty of time for Herbert to add to his legacy. An important first step would be leading Los Angeles to an AFC West division title. Winning an MVP would also legitimize him being mentioned among QBs such as Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
Hebert has had plenty of success statistically. He has thrown over 4,000 yards twice, and over 5,000 yards back in 2021. When Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach in 2024, the Chargers’ offense became more ground-and-pound, causing Herbert’s stats to take a hit. However, he was very efficient, throwing just three INTs and posting a career-high 101.7 QB rating.
The running game will continue to anchor L.A.’s offense moving forward, but look for Herbert to stretch the field a little more in 2025. The Chargers have given him more weapons to work with, including WRs Mike Williams and Tre Harris, as well as veteran tight end Tyler Conklin. Pairing them with second-year WR Ladd McConkey could give L.A. one of the more dangerous passing attacks in the league.
The Chiefs kickoff the season against the Chargers in a Week 1 matchup in São Paulo, Brazil. Fortunately for K.C., that will count as an away game, meaning the Chargers will come to Arrowhead Stadium for a Week 15 contest later in the season. That matchup could pivotal to who wins the division, as well as playoff seeding.
Herbert is just 2-7 all-time against the Chiefs, with one of those wins coming in a game in which K.C. rested its starters. However, he always plays the Chiefs tough as eight of his nine games against them have been decided by one possession.
