We’re just three days away from the Chargers’ season opener against the Chiefs in Brazil—a historic stage for Justin Herbert to face Patrick Mahomes for the ninth time in his career. The two AFC West rivals have delivered tight battles in the past, but Mahomes owns a decisive 7–1 edge in their head-to-head matchups. For Herbert, Friday offers another shot at redemption.
But before the new season even kicks off, quarterback debates are once again in the spotlight. On Tuesday, Hall of Famer Joe Montana stirred the pot when asked on The Pat McAfee Show which current quarterbacks he’d pick to start a franchise with. His list left out Mahomes, but prominently featured Herbert.
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“I’m taking the guy in Buffalo, obviously Joe Burrow, another guy I like a lot. And believe it or not, I like the guy with the Chargers, Justin Herbert,” Montana said. “I think they’ve just kind of gone by the wayside there… I just like the way those three guys are.”
Montana’s initial trio was Josh Allen, Burrow, and Herbert. He later added Jalen Hurts to the group, citing the Eagles star’s rapid development and leadership in guiding his team to a Super Bowl appearance.
When pressed on his decision to exclude Mahomes, Montana admitted it came down to age, noting the Chiefs’ superstar is about to turn 30. “I think I would’ve if he was younger,” Montana explained, before acknowledging that modern rules have extended quarterback careers. “They’re not getting hit as much today, so they’ll probably play forever, so I should’ve added Patrick in there.”
Even with that clarification, Montana’s comments sparked plenty of discussion. Very few would argue with Allen and Burrow, but Herbert’s inclusion over Mahomes raised eyebrows. For the Chargers quarterback, however, it marks another moment of validation from NFL royalty. Last summer, Peyton Manning also listed Herbert among his top five quarterbacks alongside Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, and Lamar Jackson.
Herbert’s individual production has never been in doubt. Through his first five seasons, he has thrown for 21,093 yards—more than any quarterback in league history over that span—and ranks sixth all-time in touchdowns across the same window. What he lacks is postseason validation. Despite gaudy numbers, Herbert has just one playoff appearance and no postseason wins to show for it.
That’s what makes Friday’s showdown with Kansas City so pivotal. On a nationally televised stage, Herbert has a chance to shift the narrative, even if only slightly, by toppling the reigning Super Bowl champions. Beating Mahomes on international soil would not erase the Chiefs’ dominance in recent years, but it would provide a statement victory for a Chargers franchise eager to prove it belongs among the AFC’s elite.
Montana’s list was never meant to be a definitive ranking of who’s best right now. It was framed around who you’d build a team with moving forward. Still, the fact that one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time is willing to put Herbert in the same breath as Allen and Burrow—and even ahead of Mahomes—shows just how much respect the Chargers’ signal-caller commands within football circles.
Whether Herbert can turn that respect into results is the next question. The numbers and the praise are there. Now it’s about wins.
And with Mahomes waiting in Brazil, Herbert has the perfect chance to start answering those doubts.
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