Why Jim Harbaugh thinks Justin Herbert is one of NFL’s best leaders

El SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new era in every sense this year.

The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh to be the franchise’s new head coach, they opened a brand-new team facility and have 23 new players on their roster going into Week 1. One of the constants, however, is starting quarterback Justin Herbert.

Herbert is going into his fifth NFL season with the Chargers, and it might the first time since his rookie campaign that expectations about him or the team aren’t high outside of their new headquarters.

‘We got the players. We just got to put our best foot forward and show what we can do,’ Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston said to USA TODAY Sports. ‘We got all the pieces that we need in this locker room. We just got to go out and show it.’

The Chargers’ success this season will in large part be contingent upon Herbert’s effectiveness and health.

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Herbert was placed on injured reserve and missed the final four regular-season games last year after he fractured his right index finger. The Chargers lost their final four games without Herbert and fired then-head coach Brandon Staley in the process of limping to a 5-12 finish.

In preparation for this season, Herbert was diagnosed with plantar fascia in his right foot, which caused him to miss much of training camp and all of the team’s preseason. But Herbert said he’s recovered and feeling 100% as the team gets ready for its opener against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

‘It’s feeling much better,’ Herbert said. ‘We’re through it and we’re moving forward.’

Harbaugh’s been effusive in his praise of Herbert since becoming the Chargers head coach. When Herbert returned to practice from his injury last month Harbaugh joked that he heard voices of angels.

When USA TODAY Sports asked Harbaugh on Wednesday how Herbert has evolved as a leader entering his fifth season, Harbaugh described the quarterback’s work ethic and then referred to the August elevator incident when Herbert along with multiple Chargers players and traveling staff members where stuck in an elevator.

‘One of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. From day one, he’s a rock in every way. He’s the hardest worker, a tone setter, the strategist, the performer and producer,’ Harbaugh said. ‘He leads from the front. Going back to the elevator incident, it was no surprise that when 15 people got out of the elevator, who would be the last one to get off the elevator. Who let 14 other people go in front of him. He was the last guy to get off, it was Justin Herbert. Any and every way, he’s probably the best leader I’ve ever been around.’

Herbert’s 17,223 career passing yards are the most ever for a quarterback in their first four seasons. In his fifth season, the Chargers are embarking on a new chapter. But he’s still the main character, and his performance and health will undoubtedly greatly influence the team’s success this season.

‘I think it’s a great opportunity,’ Herbert said. ‘We know how last year went. We are well aware of where we went and how we got here. But we got to learn from it. You got to move on and attack this next year.’