Justin Herbert: My Future QB1
By: Shaun Moore
Tags: Football, Draft, Charger, Sports, NFL

by Shaun Moore

A look at Justin Herbert in a Chargers jersey. Image via @Chargers Twitter.

Whew, okay I haven’t done this in awhile, so let me shake the dust off my article writing factory.

The 2020 NFL Draft was definitely one to remember this time around. For the first time ever, the NFL held the draft virtually due to the current state of the world (huge shout out to all the healthcare and essential workers out there). But it didn’t go as bad as some thought it would.

In fact, the NFL Draft reached a total of over 55 million viewers over the three day span, a record.

Okay enough with the numbers lets get into the main reason we’re here: the Chargers QB of the future.

Yes the cat is out of the bag, I am a Chargers fan. I bleed powder blue.

The departure of long time QB Philip Rivers to the Colts was heartbreaking yet, inevitable. Ol’ Father Time was catching up to Rivers, and it showed in his play sometimes. It was tough to see him go, I started my fandom started with him at the helm. But all good things must come to an end.

Insert Justin Herbert, 6'6 235 lbs QB out of Oregon.

Now for the record, I shed a little tear the night we drafted Herbert. Not because I was hoping we drafted him….. I wanted Tua. It’s hard not to fall in love with a national championship winning QB with ELITE accuracy, vision and mobility. To hell with the injury history, it’s apart of the game; that guy is a proven winner.

Well fantasy over, we draft Herbert at pick #6.

Herbert has all the physical, and mental tangibles that makes up a NFL QB. Huge arm (threw a ball 65 yards flat footed, talk about a rocket), mobility to move and throw out of the pocket (an element Rivers didn’t have), a love for the game, and he’s incredibly smart.

So whats not to love about the QB? It was the inconsistencies in his play. Take the Rose Bowl for example. His opening drive was masterful and NFL QB-esc, 4–5 for 49 yards and ended with a four-yard rushing TD. The next drive however, resulted in a forced throw in a crowded space leading to a pick.

He finished that game 14–20 138 yards, 0 passing TDs 1 INT. He did have three rushing TDs on the day, showing that mobility.

With the bad, there are some good and I did see a lot of good on tape (turn on the Washington game from October 2019, eye opener). Obviously there was enough good for Chargers GM Tom Telesco to draft him at #6.

Herbert will sit behind savvy vet Tyrod Taylor for awhile to sit and learn the offense, a huge plus for the former Oregon QB. He’s not forced into a starting situation, he can let the game come to him.

When Herbert does eventually take over, he will have immense talent on offense, far better than what he was working with at Oregon. Keenan Allen one of the best route runners in the league, Mike Williams, a deep threat who continues to grow every year, Austin Ekeler, Hunter Henry, and more. He will have all the tools to succeed.

It will be up to Herbert, HC Anthony Lynn, and OC Shane Steichen to groom the QB into that elite player they envision.

My final take: I’m excited to see what Herbert brings to the Chargers. New stadium, new uniforms (best in the league by the way), and he’s the new QB. As stated earlier, he posses every tool he needs to succeed, can he put it all together on the NFL level? I’m looking forward to seeing it. Welcome to the Chargers Justin.