Justin Herbert is the most disrespected starting quarterback in the NFL and the noise reached an all-time high ahead of the LA Chargers' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
ESPN's Ryan Clark took a stance leading into Friday's game saying Herbert never shows up when it matters most. The thesis of Clark's take was Herbert's 0-2 record, although the take lacked the nuance that its gravity should have mandated.
Chargers fans knew Clark's take was nonsensical, and just like he did years ago with Emmanuel Acho, Herbert proved a misguided analyst wrong. Herbert had one of the best games of his career on Friday night, leading the Chargers to a 27-21 win over the rivaled Chiefs.
Justin Herbert instantly makes Ryan Clark eat crow with gem vs Chiefs
Herbert completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He picked up another 32 yards on the ground, including the game-winning scramble on third down to put the game on ice.
Herbert had two key plays when the game mattered most, or when Clark thought he wouldn't show up. First, he hit Will Dissly on a gutsy play-action bootleg call to start the drive and move the chains. Then, plays later, he scrambled to pick up a first down on third and long.
The former Oregon Duck was just as excellent the drive prior. Herbert orchestrated a scoring drive capped off by Quentin Johnston's second touchdown of the night. It was textbook. It was clinical. It was clutch.
Unfortunately, Herbert will get his flowers tonight but this will all ultimately get forgotten by the time the Chargers play the Las Vegas Raiders next Monday. The NFL news cycle is an unforgiving one, and pundits will naturally revert back to their flawed takes because they are easy. They are convenient.
But if Friday night proved anything, it's that Herbert will continue proving these analysts wrong by cementing himself as a truly elite quarterback in one of the league's most talented eras. This was not a fluke, it was not an accident, it was Herbert doing what he typically does in big moments.
The Chargers are 1-0 and Herbert has every right to celebrate on the long plane ride back from Brazil. But knowing him, he's already focused on the upcoming Raiders showdown in 10 days.