Should Justin Herbert Be at the Center of the MVP Conversation?

For the first time in a long time, it feels like Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is entering a season where the MVP conversation is a realistic expectation rather than a hopeful prediction. Herbert enters his seventh NFL season with plenty of hype surrounding him. Multiple sportsbooks have him around +1000 to win the 2026 NFL MVP, putting him firmly among the top contenders. Even some of the national media is starting to come around on the idea that Herbert could finally have the type of season that puts him in the middle of the race. And honestly, why shouldn't he? Herbert has already shown that he has the physical ability to be an MVP quarterback. The arm talent is obvious. He can make throws that very few quarterbacks in the league can make and he's consistently been one of the most talented players on the Chargers roster. The biggest question has always been whether the Chargers can put enough around him to allow that talent to translate into an MVP-caliber season. That could finally be changing. The Chargers brought in Mike McDaniel to run the offense, giving Herbert perhaps the most intriguing offensive coordinator he's had during his career. McDaniel's offensive creativity should give Herbert more opportunities to make plays while also making life easier for the quarterback. The Chargers have also invested heavily in improving the talent around him. That's important because MVP awards aren't handed out simply because a quarterback has a strong arm or puts up impressive numbers. The quarterback generally needs to lead his team to significant success. That's where Herbert's opportunity comes in. The Chargers have won 11 games in each of Jim Harbaugh's first two seasons and enter 2026 with legitimate expectations to compete near the top of the AFC. If Los Angeles can take another step forward and Herbert is the driving force behind it, it's going to be difficult to keep him out of the conversation. There is also something else working in Herbert's favor: people are starting to expect it. Dan Orlovsky recently said he expects Herbert to be in the MVP conversation deep into the season. That isn't necessarily surprising, but it shows how the perception around Herbert is changing. Of course, there is still plenty of competition. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are all going to be in the conversation. Herbert can't simply have a good season. He probably needs to have one of the best seasons of his career while leading the Chargers to one of the best records in the AFC. But that's exactly what makes this so exciting. For years, the question surrounding Herbert has been whether he can take the next step. With a new offensive system, more weapons and a team that appears ready to compete, 2026 might finally give him the opportunity to answer that question. If the Chargers are winning and Herbert is putting up the numbers everyone knows he's capable of producing, there is no reason he shouldn't be at the center of the MVP conversation. Maybe this is finally the year the rest of the NFL catches up to what Chargers fans have known for years. Best Newest first Oldest first