The milestones kept piling for quarterback Justin Herbert in his third season.
No player in NFL history has more completions, passing yards or total touchdowns over the first three seasons of a career than Herbert, and no other quarterback has thrown for at least 4,000 passing yards in each of their first three seasons.
Herbert's 2022 season also included his first postseason appearance.
Herbert joined Kay Adams on her "Up & Adams" show on FanDuel TV earlier this week and talked about what it was like to make the playoffs for the first time … and his excitement to build off what they have done.
"I thought it was a great opportunity for us to be able to get there," Herbert said. "We dealt with our fair share of adversity this year in injuries, tight losses and things like that. But for us to be able to get there, I thought it was a huge step for us.
"Unfortunately, it didn't go our way," Herbert added. "We would've loved to have gone further in the playoffs, but I know that we've got the guys, we've got the coaching staff to be able to figure that out in the future, so I'm really looking forward to this offseason."
Take a look back at the best photos of Justin Herbert's 2022 campaign
Adversity was a theme of the 2022 Bolts season, as skill players went in and out of the lineup. Herbert himself went through it as well, as he dealt with a rib injury he suffered early in the season.
But the young quarterback talked to Adams about playing through that and why it was important for him to keep going.
"I think as a quarterback and as a teammate, you need to be able to put everything on the line," Herbert said. "And even when you don't feel great and when you don't want to play and you don't want to go to practice, you need to be able to go out there and give your best because your teammates deserve that, the team, the fans that follow the team, they deserve that.
"For me, it was important to be out there and to go play and give everything I had," Herbert added. "I think my dad taught me that growing up, so I'm thankful to have a guy like that in my life."
As Herbert prepares for his fourth season in the NFL, he directly mentioned one specific thing he's focusing on this offseason: learning new Chargers Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore's offense.
"I think it starts with learning this new offense," Herbert said. "We just recently hired Kellen Moore, really excited to get to work with him. Got to learn about all about what he wants, what he does and so this offense will be big to pick up these next couple of weeks so really looking forward to being able to do that."
Take a look at the best photos from the Chargers 2022 campaign through the lens of team photographer, Mike Nowak, manager of photography, Ty Nowell, seasonal photographer, Mackenzie Hudson, and gameday photographer, Noel Vasquez.
WELCOME TO WEEK 1 - After not playing all preseason, here's a very fired up Keenan Allen celebrating with fans after a big catch in Week 1 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. This overhead angle, taken from Level 6, really gives you perspective as a fan in the stands. - Noel Vasquez/Los Angeles Chargers
FOR THE WIN - The Raiders had a chance to take the lead toward the end of the game, but a familiar face, Khalil Mack, forced a fumble on QB Derek Carr on fourth down to ice the win for his home team. Mack finished with 3.0 sacks that game, and his teammate, Drue Tranquill was doing his best Notre Dame 'Touchdown Jesus' pose after the play. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
NEW ERA, SAME MIKE - Week 2 featured the Chargers vs. Chiefs on the first-ever Thursday Night Football game on Prime Video. One thing that wasn't new? Mike Williams' crazy one-handed catches. Just look at the concentration on his face to steadily corral the ball and get his body inbounds. This touchdown reception set the record for the most-ever by a visiting player at Arrowhead Stadium. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
10 GETS BACK TO .500 - Here's Justin Herbert walking off with a win in Week 4 over the Houston Texans which got the team back to 2-2. The contrast here shows the fans peeking over the railing to get a glimpse of the Bolts' QB, but before he heads off into the dark tunnel, he acknowledges their presence and reciprocates the greeting. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
GRIT - Here's a field-level shot of Derwin James single-handedly taking down Browns RB Nick Chubb. Both players are esteemed at their respective positions so naturally, the field dirt stands no chance when they combine forces. You get a clear view of just how much dirt gets kicked up on this tackle. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
A SIGHT OF SOFI STADIUM - This remote camera was perched to give the high-angle effect of a full view of SoFi Stadium during pregame introductions. Notice the bolt overhang in the foreground which frames the shot nicely. On the field, you can see TE Gerald Everett running onto the field before the Week 6 MNF game vs. the Denver Broncos. Look up, and you'll see the forward facing shot on the Infinity Screen. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
THE ROOKIE STEPS UP - Another shot from the same Week 6 Monday Night Football game that went into overtime. What was a tough, hard-fought battle all game was finally cracked open with just under five minutes remaining after Ja'Sir Taylor made a heads up special teams play to force a muffed punt. Another rookie, Deane Leonard, recovered the ball to give possession back to the Chargers offense to set up a game-winning drive. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
HEROIC HOPKINS - Here's a close up view of kicker Dustin Hopkins' game-winning field goal in Week 6. Hopkins injured his hamstring mid-game and at one point was deemed questionable to return. He went 4-for-4 on field goals, including this game winner. Check out the pain in his face as he boots this through the uprights. - Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers
VIEWS - The navy uniforms add a different color-element when the team dons them once a season and paired with this gold facemask, you can see the contrast. You can also see a reflection of SoFi Stadium on the visor as the team got ready for the Week 7 game vs. Seattle. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
DICKER RISES UP - The Bolts are no strangers to changes at kicker and Cameron Dicker was the team's third of the season. Here he is being carried off the field by Derwin James and Amen Ogbongbemiga after nailing a 37-yard field goal to get the win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
REFLECTION - With no Mike Williams and no Keenan Allen, wide receiver DeAndre Carter was tasked with stepping up in a big way in Week 10. Here he is taking a moment for himself before the Sunday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, centered in solitude surrounded by a crowded stadium. He went on to lead the receivers with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown he scored on the team's first drive. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
DERWIN GOES UP! - Derwin James' athletic prowess was on display in Week 12 after he snatched this pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. You can't help but notice how Derwin's uniform stands out against the Cardinals' red sideline. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
TWO SIDES TO EVERY PLAY - Here's the aftermath of Austin Ekeler scoring a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining in regulation in Week 12. Pair Ekeler's enthusiasm with Isaiah Simmons' despair and it's a reminder how every play tells two stories. The Bolts successfully made a two-point conversion after this TD to improve to 6-5 and get the team back on track. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
TOE TAPPIN' - As good as Mike Williams' catches are, so too is his ability to always get his feet inbounds to complete the play. Here's another example on a touchdown in Week 14 vs. the Dolphins. No. 81 came alive that night catching all six passes thrown his way for 116 yards and a score, helping his team get the W in primetime and start their push for the postseason. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
FULLY LOADED FIRST DOWN - Through his three years in the league, Justin Herbert has kept it pretty cool, calm, and collected on the field. That changed for a moment in Week 14 when the QB ran for a first down on 3rd-and-8 with just over five minutes to play. He then stood up and gave the definitive first down motion. The play made Chargers fans harken back to when Philip Rivers did a similar celebration in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens showing even QBs can get in on the fun every once in a while. - Noel Vasquez/Los Angeles Chargers
A SPIKE to 7 WINS - After the 23-17 victory over Miami, Herbert was given a game ball by the Sunday Night Football crew. Here's a peek into the locker room as No. 10 emphatically spiked the ball in celebration of the victory and gave us another glimpse at the emotions that come with wins, especially, wins that mean more in mid-December. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
SMOKE & SHADOWS - The tunnel is always a great place to shoot given the fact that we add a lot of different elements for pregame introductions. Here we have Mike Williams, in the royal blue uniform, standing in front of the fan with smoke permeating throughout the shot. The colors contrast well despite this being an afternoon game. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
WHO ELSE? MIKE WILLIAMS - The Week 15 Titans game was another hard-fought battle. After Tennessee tied the game with :48 seconds remaining, Justin Herbert, on the run, connected with Mike Williams - of course - for a gain of 35. Here's No. 81 in the process of going to the ground towards the end of the play. He's merely levitating above the field turf at SoFi Stadium. Three plays later, Cameron Dicker kicked the Bolts to another win and an 8-6 record. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
A CLINCH FOR CHRISTMAS - After being 6-6 at one point during the season, the Chargers rallied and had an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth in Week 16 vs. the Colts. Clinched they did after a dominating 20-3 performance. The game came a day after Christmas giving the team the best gift they could ask for. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
LOV3 FOR DAMAR - Week 18 was a reminder that life is bigger than football after what happened to Buffalo's Damar Hamlin the previous Monday night. After kickoff, Derwin James and Russell Wilson, two players and team captains who don No. 3, the same number Hamlin wears, met in the middle of the field to express support and love for the Bills safety. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
PALMER GOES A MILE HIGH - Just look at the hops from Joshua Palmer as he hauled in a two-point conversion in Week 18's game vs. the Broncos. We see guys leap up all the time, but it's always amazing when you see how a photo can capture just how high up they get in the moment. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
WELCOME TO THE WILD CARD - The Chargers were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 as they went to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. Here's the pregame setup as Sebastian Joseph-Day's hands mimic the fireworks on display. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert has already had conversations with Moore since his hiring and is excited to get started with the new offensive play caller.
"You know, it's been great," Herbert said about his conversations with Moore so far. "We kind of grew up in a similar area, he's from Washington. Grew up watching him at Boise State, talked about that.
"Talked about where he's been, where he's coached, where he's played as well and so we've got so much respect for him as a coach, as a player and just really excited to get to work with him," Herbert added.
As for what will be different with Moore?
Herbert told Adams that while he isn't exactly sure yet, there were a couple things that caught his eye on how Moore ran his offense.
"I think that's something that remains to be seen," Herbert said. "You know he's obviously got the respect of the NFL. Haven't seen the playbook yet and so that's something that we'll get into, but love the tempo that they play with. They're able to get guys open and get the ball going."
You can watch the full interview with Adams here.
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