Bolt Beat
Fansided

LA Chargers Cold Takes edition: Justin Herbert and Tyrod Taylor

By AJ Reed

TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before the start of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before the start of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

On May 16th, 2020 I wrote that Tyrod Taylor should start the entire season at quarterback for the LA Chargers.

That’s the kind of Chargers take that gets a lot of fans upset these days, and for good reason. At the time it felt like a good take, Taylor had seen success on other teams and was perfect to take over a transitioning Chargers team. Week 1 showed us a different story, the Chargers offense was abysmal against a substandard Bengals defense, it was clear Tyrod was not the answer.

I was worried that rushing Justin Herbert into the starting position when he was not ready would ruin his career early, nonetheless, Herbert was more than ready and made a lot of fans eat their words, myself included.

Looking back at the LA Chargers cold take:

In the Tyrod piece, I said “There are also countless examples of a young quarterback being rushed into the starting spot when they are not anywhere close to being ready. Josh Rosen with the Cardinals is a prime example of this, Nathan Peterman for the Bills is another prime example.”

The problem with that quote is that I assumed Herbert would be similar to Josh Rosen and Nathan Peterman and that can not be further from the truth.

Herbert is miles better than both those quarterbacks and it showed week 2 when he threw for 311 yards against the defending champs. Peterman’s career-high is 79 yards, and his debut was the legendary 5-interception game.

Comparing Justin Herbert’s rookie campaign compared to Rosen’s and Peterman’s is insulting to Herbert. His worst game this season would still be a great game compared to them. Herbert went on to break almost every rookie passing record while those other QBs are struggling to stay in the league.

“However, it would be wise for the Chargers to sit Herbert for at least a year maybe even longer.” If this was said anytime after Week 2 the fans would be furious, good thing Anthony Lynn and the coaching staff supported him from the start.

Next. 2 possible trades to acquire J.J. Watt

I think it is safe to say I was extremely wrong about what the Chargers should have done with Justin Herbert. Making him sit out the entire season would have been a travesty, and removed all the excitement that this season saw.

Home/Justin Herbert