Rashawn Slater fires back at petty criticism of Chargers' QB Justin Herbert

Despite putting up elite numbers and being great for the LA Chargers the moment he was thrust into the league, Justin Herbert has picked up quite a few detractors in recent years. These detractors are mostly focused on the lack of team success and use that as evidence against Herbert.

While quarterback is the most important position in football, judging a quarterback solely on team success without context is a dangerous game. Sure, Herbert does not have a playoff win to his name but he has also been dealt an uneven deck compared to other great quarterbacks in the league.

Herbert's detractors aren't just questioning his ability on the field but his leadership ability as well. Herbert is not front and center in the media like other star quarterbacks and many have mistaken that as an inability to be a leader of men.

Thankfully, Herbert doesn't have to go to bat for himself because his teammates will. In a recent appearance on the "Up and Adams" show, Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater completely dismissed the notion that Herbert isn't a vocal leader.

Justin Herbert is a great leader for the Chargers, just ask Rashawn Slater

Don't mistake Herbert's soft-spoken nature in the media as a lack of leadership. Herbert has grown as a leader in his four years with the Chargers and Slater going to bat for him in this way is a firm reminder of that.

It is refreshing to hear a prominent teammate of Herbert's go to bat for him in the public light as Slater did. There have been too many instances recently where other teammates of Herbert have not been as kind to the franchise quarterback.

A few weeks ago former Chargers cornerback Chris Harris did not pull his punches when talking about Herbert's lack of a clutch factor. A year and a half ago, Austin Ekeler went on television and allowed Skip Bayless to go in on Herbert without offering much of a rebuttal.

Some were starting to question how the locker room perceived Herbert following these two instances. Slater coming out and confirming that all of this noise is nonsense is definitely refreshing for the fans who have stuck by Herbert's side all along.

Unfortunately, these narratives about Herbert will continue to exist at the macro level until he and the Chargers have playoff success. Thankfully, though, Herbert is finally walking into a season with a head coach and a culture in place that won't let him down.

More Chargers news and analysis