The Baltimore Ravens are preparing for a difficult matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, and head coach Jesse Minter knows the challenge Justin Herbert presents. Although Herbert has struggled this season, Minter still sees a quarterback with the talent to make plays in multiple ways.
Minter is very familiar with Herbert after spending the previous two seasons with the Chargers. He has seen the quarterback's arm strength and athleticism up close, and he isn't overlooking what Herbert can do against Baltimore.
When asked about Herbert's recent struggles and what he sees when watching the quarterback on film, Minter pointed to the changes around him while emphasizing his talent.
"Yes, I love Justin Herbert. [I have] a lot of respect for him.
I see just like [a] new offense. I don't want to speak out of place, but I'm pretty sure it's Justin's fifth or sixth offensive coordinator since he's been in the league. I know Greg [Roman] was there for two years, but he's had a lot of different systems. This was maybe, I would say, the most drastic change that he's made from one to the other."
Minter believes Herbert is still capable of making every throw and using his athleticism to create problems for opposing defenses. The Ravens will need to be prepared for both aspects of his game.
"But I see flashes, and I see potential. I see extreme arm talent and I see extreme athleticism, which I've seen a bunch in the practice field the last couple years. [He's a] high-level talent that offensively it hasn't maybe clicked the way they want, but I see an extremely talented player that's got the capabilities of making every throw, making every run, making a bunch of plays, and I certainly know what he's capable of and respect him."
For Baltimore, the concern is how Herbert’s strengths intersect with its own defensive breakdowns. A quarterback with his arm talent can punish a late coverage adjustment, while his movement can extend the time defensive backs must remain attached to receivers. The Ravens need pressure that disrupts his timing without creating easy escape routes or exposing coverage behind it.
The number of offensive coordinators Herbert has worked with is worth considering, especially with another system to learn. Minter isn't using that as an excuse for the Chargers' offensive struggles, but it does provide some context for why the offense may not have consistently clicked.
For Baltimore, the bigger concern is making sure Herbert doesn't find his rhythm. He has the arm strength to challenge a defense downfield and the athleticism to extend plays when the pocket breaks down. That combination can make him difficult to defend, even when an offense isn't operating at its best.
That makes discipline more important than Los Angeles’ record. Baltimore cannot assume a stalled possession will remain stalled if it offers a penalty, misses a tackle or loses track of a receiver during an extended play. Herbert doesn’t need the entire offense operating perfectly to capitalize on an isolated mistake. The Ravens can't simply look at the Chargers' recent offensive results and assume Herbert will be limited. Minter knows firsthand what the quarterback can do, and Baltimore will need a disciplined defensive performance to keep him from making the kind of plays that can change a game.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Jesse Minter warns Ravens about Justin Herbert despite Chargers' skid
