The 2020 NFL Draft was an interesting one. Because of the ongoing pandemic, the event which was supposed to be held in Las Vegas that year was canceled and Roger Goodell announced every pick from his basement! That saying when drafts appear in sports is true. The draft will begin at a particular number. Joe Burrow was the consensus number-one pick and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals at number one. Washington took Chase Young at number two and the Detroit Lions selected Jeff Okudah at three. This draft started at 4. Once the Chargers were on the board, they had been linked to a Quarterback from the University of Oregon named Justin Herbert. L.A. did draft him at six which made sense considering the Chargers decided to release Philip Rivers that offseason. With this being the time that contract extensions are given, the Chargers decided to extend their young Quarterback. A five-year deal worth $262.5 million!
Justin is one of the five best Quarterbacks in the game right now. I remember when he became the starting Quarterback for the Chargers. It was week two during a divisional showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Justin came in for Tyrod Taylor who was ruled inactive after the team’s doctor punctured his lung. He almost led the Chargers to victory, but they fell short. After the game, you saw how impressed Patrick Mahomes was and when one of the elite guys gives you your props, you’re a special guy. After that start, he’s been their starting Quarterback and the rest is history. Let’s talk about the arm strength. Justin has one of the best arms in the league and he can make the football spin down the field. I’ll put it to you all like this: There isn’t a throw this kid can’t make. He’s a natural talent with a lot of intangibles that can’t be taught or coached. He can shred defenses from the pocket and can move the pocket and make perfect throws on the run. Even when Justin wants to throw the ball across the field, it’s on the money and hits his receiver each time. Next, I want to talk about the poise he displays in the pocket. Justin is always willing to stand in that pocket and take a hit for a good throw which is something you don’t see in many young Quarterbacks today. If his first two reads are taken away, he’s mobile enough to extend the play to make something happen. Justin is so calm and patient when it comes to letting the play develop.
I remember when Drew Brees gave Justin his flowers when he was breaking him down. He couldn’t stop raving about him and it’s also big time when a future Hall of Famer is giving you the respect you deserve. Let’s look back at Justin’s first few seasons in the league. In 2020, he became just the fourth rookie to throw for 4,000 yards and he threw 31 touchdown passes which is the most ever for a rookie. He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 2021, he recorded franchise records with 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes. Justin also had the Chargers on the brink of a playoff appearance. Just last season, Justin led the Chargers to ten victories and a playoff berth which was their first since 2018. He becomes the third Quarterback to earn a contract extension joining Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson. Now, Justin is the highest-paid Quarterback in the league.
