Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is not exactly having his best season, and former NFL defensive lineman Gerald McCoy ripped into him this week.
“Justin Herbert is not elite, and a lot of people kill me “oh how is he not elite?”, and there is a difference in elite talent and playing elite,” McCoy said on Good Morning Football. “And last night against Jets, who, they have a good defense. But in a night where the score was lopsided, this is what your elite quarterback had, 16-of-30, 136 yards and no touchdowns.”
Herbert has taken his fair share of criticism this season, as the Chargers are just 4-4.
It’s not that Herbert’s numbers have been bad. After all, he has thrown for 2,026 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 97.3.
However, Herbert has been largely criticized for failing to come through in big situations. The fact that he has thrown a pair of game-ending picks this season hasn’t helped his case.
Herbert, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oregon, was selected by Los Angeles with the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He hit the ground running during his rookie campaign, totaling 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 66.6 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 98.3.
The following year, Herbert tallied similar numbers, finishing with 5,014 yards, 35 touchdowns and 14 picks, completing 65.9 percent of his passes and recording a passer rating of 97.7 en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Herbert then showed some regression in 2022, throwing for 4,739 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 picks while completing 68.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 93.2.
With all of the talent Herbert has, people have come to expect a lot out of the 25-year-old, namely in the category of big wins.
The Bolts have made just one postseason appearance under Justin Herbert and have yet to win a playoff game with him under center.
Of course, he is still in just his fourth season, so there is plenty of time for him to get those accolades.
The Chargers will battle the Detroit Lions this Sunday.
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