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We're almost there, Charger fans. I know I'm not the only one counting down the days till the start of the NFL season, but before we get there, we still have to go through training camp and OTAs. The Chargers are in the second week of their OTAs, and on Wednesday was the first time Bolts star QB Justin Herbert participated in a team 7-on-7 drill.

He looked great, and we cannot wait to see Herbert unleashed. This will be his fourth season in the NFL, and the expecations will be sky-high for his team and himself. We've seen flashes of his talent and potential, but can he make it happen for all 17 games and beyond? The chances are high, and NFL writer David Latham is confident Herbert can make it happen in 2023. 

Latham lists a handful of things as to why Herbert will be better than he ever was this upcoming season. The three things he lists are health, the passing game, and some better luck. 

A Return to Health

However, when given the proper context, it’s easy to see why Justin Herbert had something of a down year. The Oregon product spent a good portion of the season playing with an injured throwing shoulder, and it should go without saying that it’s harder to complete passes when you can’t throw the ball without a significant amount of pain.

Belief In the Forward Pass

Fortunately, Los Angeles jettisoned Lombardi in favor of longtime Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore has a proven track record of getting the most out of Dak Prescott, and his creative scheme and downfield tendencies are a perfect match for Justin Herbert. With this coordinator and these weapons, there is no telling how good this offense could be.

Justin Herbert Was Unlucky Last Year

Even without all the other changes, there was still a good chance that Justin Herbert would be better in 2023. Herbert threw 10 interceptions last year, but a good portion of those were not his fault. In fact, he actually had more interceptions than turnover-worthy throws, which is insanely unlucky.

It's hard to argue why al;l these things could be a recipe for a great season for Herbert. He has been given all the weapons on offense, plus the talent on defense and an offensive coordinator who could be an NFL head coach. 

There are no excuses this season for the Bolts and their QB. He must perform at a high-level week in and week out. We'll see if Herbert is up for the challenge and if he can guide the Chargers where they've never been. It won't be easy, but we'll see how things unfold in 2023.