Despite another losing season, the Los Angeles Chargers can at least feel good about their quarterback of the future, Justin Herbert.
The rookie quarterback, drafted by the Chargers with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, threw the 28th touchdown of his rookie season in a 19-16 win over the Denver Broncos, breaking the record previously held by Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw 27 touchdowns in his 2018 rookie campaign.
Herbert connected with running back Austin Ekeler for a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter to get his 28th of the season with one game still left to play.
Herbert entered the week with 3,781 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions, completing 66.5% of his passes in what will surely be looked at as a historical rookie season.
Herbert didn’t start the season as the starting quarterback either. He took over for veteran Tyrod Taylor in Week 3 after Taylor suffered a punctured lung in a medical accident after the Chargers’ team doctor inaccurately administered a pain-killing injection to his ribs.
Herbert, the former Oregon star, hasn’t looked back after taking over the starting job, posting great numbers despite the Chargers’ inability to win close games.
It remains to be seen whether Herbert could regress in season two of his career, just as Mayfield did before putting it all together again in season three.
It also remains to be seen whether the Chargers will be retaining coach Anthony Lynn after two straight losing seasons and how a potential coaching change could affect the young quarterback.
