Jim Harbaugh calls Justin Herbert the ‘toughest quarterback’ in NFL history

Justin Herbert is the toughest quarterback in the NFL, according to his head coach Jim Harbaugh. That assessment is a huge compliment considering who Herbert replaced at the top of the "toughest" list.

The Los Angeles Chargers head coach had placed himself at the top of the toughest quarterback list after playing the position for 14 seasons in the NFL. Harbaugh has decided the 6-foot-6 Herbert is a worthy successor after watching him on the field.

"There's my own personal ranking, and it's my right to have my own personal ranking. So I'm going to preface this with that: It's not anybody else's, it's mine," Harbaugh said earlier this week on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" radio show. "But I've always considered myself the toughest quarterback in the history of the National Football League. Being around Justin Herbert, I have moved to No. 2 in the rankings. Justin Herbert is the toughest quarterback in the history of the National Football League."

Harbaugh has already witnessed Herbert's ability to play through pain and injuries. Herbert largely played through a right high ankle sprain he sustained during Week 2. He was forced to exit the Chargers' Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he hasn't missed any time in the following weeks despite having an injury that usually requires a player to sit at least four weeks.

Herbert has displayed toughness throughout his five-year career. He missed one play after suffering a fractured rib cartilage during the Chargers' Week 2 loss to Kansas City and didn't miss any games during the 2022 season. Herbert also played through a fractured middle finger on his left (non-throwing) hand during the 2023 season.

Injuries are a concern for any player, but an injury to a starting quarterback can be catastrophic for a team. That's why Harbaugh went on a rant earlier this week about Herbert not getting enough roughing-the-passer calls from officials . Harbaugh said Herbert's size (6-foot-6, 236 pounds) could be working against him and compared him to basketball Hall of Fame great Shaquille O'Neal.

"It's become, like, Hack-a-Shaq. Remember, remember the old Shaq days and they just hacked him? He is so big and he's so tough to get on the ground," Harabaugh said on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" radio show. "The ball's thrown and it could be the ball's 10 yards downfield and there's still somebody trying to wrestle and grapple him to the ground. He gets hit when he goes out of bounds. He gets hit in the head. He gets facemasked during the play. It's incredible."

The fact that Herbert has been able to start in every game is a reason why the Chargers (5-3) are looking to win their third consecutive game when they take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.