The Chargers held their penultimate practice of the offseason program Wednesday afternoon at Hoag Performance Center.
The two-hour session was the Bolts second of three scheduled minicamp practices, with the final one slated for Thursday before the team takes a summer break.
Here are three observations from Wednesday's practice:
1. Herbert throws 5 TDs
Justin Herbert was up to his usual tricks Wednesday as the Bolts quarterback threw five total touchdown passes.
Herbert wasted no time in finding success as he hit Simi Fehoko for a roughly 35-yard score with Alohi Gilman and Kristian Fulton nearby in coverage. (Gilman, by the way, responded with an interception two plays later).
But Herbert really heated up in 7-on-7 drills as he spread the ball around in the end zone.
Herbert first hit tight end Hayden Hurst in the back corner of the end zone for a 25-yard score before he followed up with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer on the very next play.
Herbert later threw back-to-back touchdown passes in the red zone during a 7-on-7 drill as the offense worked in tight quarters against the defense.
Herbert found wide receiver DJ Chark on a 3-yard touchdown pass before Palmer caught his second score of the day from three yards out.
Coaches and teammates have praised everything about Herbert this spring, noting how the combination of his leadership, arm talent and mental capacity to pick up another new playbook has elevated the entire roster around him.
It was all on full display at Wednesday's practice.
2. Still steals the show
It's a safe bet that all of the Chargers 2024 draft picks have started to finding their footing and get comfortable as the offseason program has continued on.
But cornerback Tarheeb Still, a fifth-round selection out of Maryland, put that progress on full display Wednesday.
With the defensive reserves going against the top offense in a 7-on-7 drill, Still managed to nab an interception while in airtight coverage.
Still's day wasn't done, however, as he later recorded a pair of pass breakups in team drills to cement one of the strongest defensive performances we've seen this spring.
3. Plenty of competition
The Chargers have one day of practice remaining before a month-plus break and the grind of training camp looms.
But the high level of competition was again on full display Wednesday as players pushed themselves to get better.
In one drill, the edge rushers raced one another in a pass-rushing exercise.
They sprinted diagonally before pivoting around a bag and racing up the field — essentially acting as if they were trying to get a quarterback who was climbing the pocket — as they sprinted toward the sideline.
Veteran Bud Dupree drew the loudest cheer after the 31-year-old won his rep against a teammate.
The offensive line also got solid work in as they worked in trios trying to block against teammates who were pulling twists and stunts.
The real competition will begin in camp, but the Bolts put in plenty of good work Wednesday.
