LA Chargers 2020 midseason awards: MVP, most improved and more

Team MVP, and Rookie Of The Year: Justin Herbert, Quarterback

This is an obvious double dip for the former Oregon Duck. Imagine this kind of season without him. All due respect to Tyrod Taylor, but he’s not the kind of quarterback you want leading your team with all these kinds of injuries.

The Chargers offense absolutely has to score 30 points on a weekly basis to even be competitive. A 2-6 record with Taylor leading the team would feel immensely different than a 2-6 record with Herbert leading the team.

The best thing about all of Herbert’s individual success is that he is exceeding all expectations. Even the staunchest of Herbert supporters couldn’t have predicted this kind of rapid rise. Through their first seven starts, here is where Herbert stacks up in NFL history: 2,146 yards passing = first. 17 passing touchdowns = second. 104.7 passer rating = second.

We are witnessing Herbert play at an all-time great level for a rookie and we need to relish every second of it. Vote for him to win rookie of the week every chance you get. Leave this article and go vote right now if you have to!

Rewrite the record books.Justin Herbert is the only QB in NFL history to throw for 1,500+ pass yards and 15+ pass TDs in their first six career games. #ProDucks pic.twitter.com/07l4a2RGpJ

— GoDucks (@GoDucks) November 8, 2020

My personal favorite thing about seeing the way Herbert is the way he is mentally processing the game. He is making mental strides each and every week, and it is obvious the game is slowing down for him.

Credit to the Chargers coaching staff, namely Shane Steichen and Pep Hamilton for how they have helped get him in a position to succeed, but make no mistake about it, Herbert deserves every single piece of praise thrown his way. It’s not like he had a full offseason to prepare for being the full-time starter.

He didn’t even have a regular offseason to prepare to be the backup! Heck, he didn’t even have a full day to prepare for his first career start. We’ve never seen anything like the start of Herbert’s career in NFL history.

During his press conference on Sunday, Herbert said the feeling in the locker room is that they are very close to figuring it out. 2-6 is certainly not where this team wanted to be after eight games, but as long as Herbert is playing the way he has, they will have a chance to win every game.

I have to believe the next eight games will be better than the last eight games.