The Los Angeles Chargers are finding their rhythm after a 29-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. In Week 7, quarterback Justin Herbert reunites with former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as the Chargers face the Indianapolis Colts. Herbert has a few words of praise for the coach who helped shape his early NFL journey.

When asked by reporters about Steichen, now the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Herbert reflected warmly on their time together.

“It was really fun with him,” he said. “He’s so smart and such a great coach, leader, friend. There’s no surprise why they’re doing so well.” With Shane Steichen’s arrival, the Colts have made significant strides on offense.

According to Pro Football Focus, they currently rank eighth in overall pass-blocking with a grade of 64.5 and fifth in run-blocking at 73.4. Their offensive line is now considered one of the best in the NFL, helping power a unit that leads the league in total points scored.

Under Steichen’s guidance, the Indianapolis Colts lead the league in total points scored with 194, surpassing teams like the Lions and Cowboys. Quentin Nelson, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has anchored the offensive line, protecting quarterback Daniel Jones and paving the way for running back Jonathan Taylor.

Likewise, this doesn’t surprise Herbert, as he went on to say, “I knew he was really talented and that he was going to get another shot. And I’m not surprised that he’s had so much success since then.”

Even in all this competitiveness, he didn’t forget to add his contribution to Justin’s game. “I learned a lot from him, wish I had more time to learn from him-how smart he was,” the quarterback said. He got the chance to work with Steichen for a year only.

Herbert’s admiration for Steichen speaks to their shared history, but his recent performance shows how far he has come since that rookie season.

In Week 6, the 27-year-old threw for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns with a 112.2 passer rating against Miami. His highlight came late in the fourth quarter. Under pressure, he switched hands mid-play and hit Ladd McConkey for 42 yards, setting up the game-winning field goal.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, reacting to the play on tape, simply laughed: “Uhhh… It was great.”

That clutch play in Week 6 was a reminder of Herbert’s evolution, and now, in Week 7, he faces the coach who helped launch that journey.

Herbert’s Chargers vs the Colts

It’s a high-pressure game between two top AFC contenders.

For the Colts, Jonathan Taylor is the centerpiece, rushing for 123 yards on 21 attempts and a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, his third 100-yard game of the season.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, is leaning heavily on Justin Herbert to stay afloat. The Chargers’ passing attack ranks top 10 in the NFL, but their run defense remains shaky. Over the past two weeks, they’ve allowed two 100-yard rushers, De’Von Achane and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, both of whom scored two touchdowns each.

If Herbert maintains his form and the Chargers’ defense tightens up, Los Angeles could hand Steichen’s Colts their second loss of the season. But if Taylor exploits gaps and the Colts’ offensive line continues to dominate the trenches, Steichen may outwit his former team.

Either way, the reunion between Shane Steichen and Justin Herbert adds a compelling layer to one of Week 7’s most intriguing matchups.