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Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) delivers an impassioned speech to teammates before a game. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Playing in the opposing conference and then across the country, Poona Ford didn’t know much about Justin Herbert before the former Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills defensive lineman signed with the Chargers. Still, in two career games against Herbert, Ford learned everything he needed.
“He’s definitely, like, one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Ford said.
Where Herbert fits exactly in the pecking order is the topic of never-ending debates on radio shows, television segments and podcasts. Some of Herbert’s statistics have him among Hall of Famers. He needs 153 yards passing to pass Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history through five seasons.
With 3,243 yards passing and 18 touchdowns this season, Herbert is close to becoming the third player with 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, joining Manning and Russell Wilson.
Yet when it comes to the current stars, Herbert is often an afterthought compared to Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.
“We’ve anointed him, but he doesn’t seem to be in the category with those guys,” former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said last week on the podcast he hosts with fellow Amazon NFL analyst Andrew Whitworth. “I don’t think you can question his toughness. I think there’s still questions, maybe, about his leadership ability.”
Read more: Chargers vs. New England Patriots: How to watch, predictions and betting odds
None of those questions are coming from his locker room, where Herbert has grown in esteem while fighting through ankle injuries to lead the Chargers to the brink of their first playoff berth since 2022.
“He’s a true leader,” center Bradley Bozeman said. “He’s got that just dog mentality, like he’s not gonna put up with any bulls—, he’s gonna be himself 100%, and he’s gonna expect excellence out of…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-herberts-leadership-speaks-chargers-110035862.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-27 11:00:00
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