Gary Sheffield, Jr
Videos by OutKick
The Chargers started Phase One of training camp and the big news is that their first round quarterback Justin Herbert has been taking equal snaps with Tyrod Taylor.
Some reports suggest that he seems to be turning heads with the first-team.
Justin Herbert already impressing his coaches and teammates. “Low key never seen that.” #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/eVJxKJMnZn
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 12, 2020
#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler says if there is one person that might be a surprising star we see in Hard Knocks it would be rookie QB Justin Herbert, who he said is “coming along, taking charge and gaining confidence.”
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) August 10, 2020
Allowing Justin Herbert to take equal snaps with Taylor — who signed a deal that guarantees him only $6M in 2020 — matters. Given the strict protocols heading into camp, preparation will be that much harder for quarterbacks. Letting a young QB split that time means they clearly see an immediate impact from Herbert.
It has been awhile since we’ve seen any expectation on the Chargers and with the Chiefs in the Division, it may only be expectation for second but it is something. That also doesn’t go into mentioning that the videos of his eye popping accuracy are impressive, but we’ll need to see what he does when live scrimmages begin.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted a quarterback out the FCS and gave him the keys to the franchise. Why would we be shocked if a top pick out of Oregon earned the job with the Chargers of all teams?
They desperately need a shot in the arm. Giving first-team snaps to Herbert in training camp might do that.
Has anything changed?
Draft night evaluations of the Chargers pick was that he “routinely missed throws high.” Hard Knocks covering the Chargers might help us get a better sense on if that’ll matter. These videos seem to throw those critiques in the garbage.
Whether or not Justin Herbert earns the starting job, he’s been given a shot. An organization that can afford allowing first-team reps to a rookie. Can’t wait to see if Herbert can make 2020 an even more story-line-filled season!
Currently, FanDuel.com has the Chargers at an 8-8 even money bet. It also has spreads for everything between 4.5-11.5 wins.
Think Herbert will be a bust and I base that on absolutely nothing other than there always being several overhyped QB’s in every year’s draft. Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think he’s anywhere as good as Mariota if we’re going off Oregon QB’s. Not a Dolphins fan but loved the Tua pick (even with the injury issue).
Not sure if Fanduel has it, but if you believe Herbert will be the Week 1 starter, I heard the announcers on VSIN saying that he is going off at +300. By contrast, Tyrod Taylor is the favorite at -305 to be the week 1 guy.
Gary, Any thoughts on if Taylor or Herbert will get better blocking than Rivers has over the past few years? Coach seems to like Taylor a lot, so I see Herbert getting some starter reps later in the year.