Chargers HC Brandon Staley plans to play starters in Sunday's game vs. the Broncos. A win would lock up the AFC's #5 seed for the Chargers, meaning a Round 1 game vs. the Jaguars or Titans. A loss would open the door for the Ravens to take the #5 seed with a win over the Bengals. That'd push the Chargers down to #6 and mean a Round 1 game vs. Cincinnati. “Our approach is definitely going to get shot to win this ballgame and play as well as we can play heading into the playoffs,” Staley said. “I think that there’s certainly an advantage to be in the No. 5-seed, from where I stand, so we’re going to try and get there.” Staley did add that he'd consider sitting banged-up players. But, as of now, we're projecting full playing time for QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert completed 27 passes on 41 attempts for 305 passing yards with 2 TD and no INTs in Week 2’s OT loss vs. the Titans. How the Chargers continue to find themselves in such close games on a consistent basis is beyond us. Fortunately, that’s more of a problem for real-life football. Even without RB Austin Ekeler (ankle), fantasy managers saw another 20+ point game from Herbert in what will likely be his second-straight top-12 finish. He'll look to continue his success next week vs. the Vikings.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert finished Week 1 with just 228 passing yards and 1 TD. A short-range toss to TE Donald Parham accounted for his only passing score. Herbert added a second score on a QB sneak, but there wasn’t much to speak of otherwise. Keenan Allen led the way with 6 grabs for 76 yards. Mike Williams — who left briefly for a concussion check — tallied just 45 yards on 4 catches. And Round 1 rookie Quentin Johnston mixed in for only 9 yards on 2 receptions. Overall, a slow start isn’t a total surprise given the presence of new OC Kellen Moore (plus a talented Miami defense). Keep expectations high for Sunday’s matchup at Tennessee.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley says QB Justin Herbert is having the best training camp he's had in Staley's three seasons with the team. Staley is giving a lot of the credit to new OC Kellen Moore. "He makes the game easy for the quarterback," Staley said of Moore. "He really allows the quarterback to play fast, and what we're really trying to do is get Justin to play fast and be aggressive -- not just, like, in the deep part of the field, which is what everyone wants to focus on. It's that, of course, but it's the way that you command the play before the ball's even [thrown]. And now that you've developed this trust and chemistry with your group on the outside, you can really be on the attack." A big talent with a strong pass-catching corps and upgraded play-caller, Herbert is one of our favorite QB targets in fantasy drafts.

According to multiple reports, the Chargers have agreed to a five-year, $262.5 million extension with QB Justin Herbert. This move will keep the franchise centerpiece in Los Angeles through the 2029 season, and the $218.7 million in guaranteed money ranks second behind only Browns QB Deshaun Watson among the most lucrative contract in the NFL. Herbert took a bit of a step back in 2022, finishing 9th in Pro Football Focus passing grade. Some of that can be attributed to the fractured rib cartilage he picked up early in the season and the fact that WRs Mike Williams and Keenan Allen didn't play a single complete game together due to their own injuries. We have faith that the Chargers will bounce back in 2023 under new OC Kellen Moore, with Herbert placed highly in our current QB rankings assuming health for all. Next up on the list of young franchise QBs waiting for a long-term deal? Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes the Chargers’ O-line is in "outstanding shape” entering training camp. “The starting five has a chance to be special, especially with [Zion] Johnson moving to his more natural position at left guard next to an All-Pro in [Rashawn] Slater," Popper adds. Call it a bonus for QB Justin Herbert, who should already benefit from the addition of Round 1 WR Quentin Johnston. Without question, Herbert is one of the top fantasy QBs for 2023.