LA Chargers debate: Justin Herbert vs Jordan Love, similarities

The first similarity between the two is mobility. While neither was afforded many opportunities to show off that ability in the run game, both have a strong history of being proficient in operating zone reads. Both were called upon several times a game in their 2018 seasons to show off how they can control the game with their legs. For whatever reason, their coaches in 2019 both elected to rein that in a little bit more.

We’ve seen what this coaching staff wants to do with Taylor in the run game, and they’ve been pretty creative with getting him opportunities to make plays in space. I would expect that trend to continue with either Herbert or Love on the team. First, let’s take a look at one of the zone-read plays the team ran with Taylor.

Taylor does an excellent job of selling the fake, getting the defense to commit to the running back and then using his mobility to pick up the first down. Let’s take a look at a video from Herbert, in a bit of a different setup but still with the option to hand it off or keep it himself.

Herbert really executes this play beautifully. The difference between Herbert as a runner and Taylor is that Herbert rarely slides, (something that should likely change at the next level) and instead prefers to finish with physicality. That shows here.

Finally, here’s a video of Love showing off a similar ability to make plays in the run game.

Love shows off very good speed and athleticism here. As you can see, he is very comfortable making plays in a read-option setting. Either way, both players have shown very good mobility both on tape and at the combine, and the Chargers quarterback run game should be in good hands with Herbert or Love.