Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh checked off another box on his Justin Herbert help list Wednesday: Acquiring a player expected to improve the defense.
Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz picked up versatile defensive back Elijah Molden from the Titans for a seemingly insignificant late-round pick. What could be significant, however, is whether the trade could unlock a new level of the Chargers defense.
If so, no one would be happier than Herbert. Explaining factors affecting his annual quarterback-tiers survey, The Athletic’s Mike Sando explained this week on the Scoop City podcast why Herbert isn’t ranked higher by NFL talent evaluators.
“You have someone who’s acknowledged to be really talented but whatever reason hasn’t had the team results that you think a top guy should have,” Sando said.
Every era generally has one quarterback who can overcome his team’s porous defense. In this era, it’s Patrick Mahomes, Sando explained.
“Justin Herbert has had near a top-10 offense but he’s had a bottom-five defense. There’s very few quarterbacks who are winning consistently and going to championships with a bad defense. Mahomes is one of the few guys to ever really do it, a few years ago.”
Sando said both Herbert and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence are in similar situations.
Molden, selected 100th overall in the third round of the 2021 draft, has 16 starts in 33 games and two interceptions over his first three seasons. But this was a move Harbaugh and Hortiz made to improve the overall defense.
The Chargers this week waived safety JT Woods in order to sign Harbaugh’s former Michigan running back Hassan Haskins. Molden gives the Chargers more options than they had with Woods.
Harbaugh has had a bit of a stressful month in his first season as Chargers head coach. He finally got Herbert (foot) back on the practice field last week and heard “the voices of angels singing.”
Then, less than 24 hours before the Chargers’ preseason finale in Dallas, emergency personnel carefully removed Herbert and other Chargers players from their hotel elevator.
Harbaugh, Herbert and the Chargers kick off the new era Sept. 8 at home against their AFC West rival, the Las Vegas Raiders.