Why Justin Herbert's leadership has taken a leap in 2024 - ESPN

Months before Morgan Fox signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in May of 2022, he says he was enamored with quarterback Justin Herbert. Fox watched on TV as Herbert converted on deep fourth and third downs in a Week 18 game that the Chargers played against the Raiders at the end of the 2021 season, with a playoff berth on the line.

Still, when he became teammates with Herbert, Fox looked forward to testing Herbert's mettle. After a play during practice, Fox smacked a football out of Herbert's hands, «I just wanted to see how he was going to react,» Fox said with a smile.

Herbert picked up the ball, launched it at Fox and began railing at the defensive tackle with expletives. «That's what I wanted to see,» Fox said with a smile. «He's always had that tone. You've just got to talk to him.»

Herbert's personality has long been a focus for critics who have questioned if the 2020 first-round pick has the personality to lead an NFL locker room. In his fifth season in the league, players say Herbert has evolved as a leader — a credit to time in the NFL and a coach in Jim Harbaugh who has pushed Herbert to be more vocal.

With the Chargers at 7-3, their best start since the 2018 season ahead of a «Monday Night Football» matchup against the Baltimore Ravens (8:15 p.m. ET), Herbert could be leading a legitimate contender for the first time in his career. At age 26, he's playing perhaps the best football of his career with a different confidence and bravado that has the organization rallying behind him.

«I feel like everybody's having more fun this year. We've got a good culture going and Justin's definitely the leader of that,» offensive tackle Rashawn Slater told ESPN. «Whenever we see him have that energy, it's very infectious. As