Former Super Bowl Winner Explains Why Corey Linsley Can Help Justin Herbert Find More Success This Season

Justin Herbert is on track to begin his sophomore season with the LA Chargers. After a strong rookie season with the Chargers, where he won the Rookie of the Year accolade, Herbert will look to improve on that.

In the past few seasons, we have seen quarterbacks in their sophomore season with the NFL MVP title. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are the two of the most recent examples. Could Herbert be on that list soon?

Former Super Bowl winner Shaun O’Hara spoke recently on Good Morning Football about Justin Herbert heading into his second season with the LA Chargers.

He noted that Herbert is more than capable of handling the physical aspect of the game. However, he will need to understand that how to protect himself and the ball. For this reason, free-agent signing Corey Linsley will be crucial for them going into the new season.

READ MORE: NFL Analyst Says Justin Herbert Can Be MVP Next Season

“You know that he can handle the game aspect of it and physically he can handle that. I think the big challenge for Herbert, anytime you’re learning a new offense, is understanding protections.

“How do I make sure that I’m protected from the right side, the left side? That’s why I think Corey Linsley is such a great pick-up for them. Having that veteran center upfront can help you out when defenses are really to mess with you.” 

Corey Linsley can protect Justin Herbert

O’Hara pointed out how important a strong center can be for an offensive unit. The center is often caught in the middle of a chess match in order to get the quarterbacks and the runners into a good position.

Linsley is a proven threat at his position, and will only make things easier for Herbert going into the new season.

READ MORE: Chargers’ Brandon Stanley Says Offensive Line Will Allow Justin Herbert to Be His Best

“When the linebacker is trying to play with you, and he’s shifted over pre-snap to the left, because he wants you to slide the offensive line that way, knowing that the Blitz is coming off your right, that’s the chess match that’s going on at the line of scrimmage.

“When you got a guy like Corey that can handle that for you and help you out, now all of sudden Justin he can focus on the back-end of the defense and not the front. And I think that is going to help him out a lot.”

Can Justin Herbert be an MVP candidate next season? Let us know in the comments below.