Less than a minute before kickoff against the Kansas City Chiefs, L.A. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told rookie quarterback Justin Herbert he would make his first NFL start.
Justin Herbert, the 6th overall pick in April's NFL draft, had finished undergoing his pregame stretching routine, and was unaware that Tyrod Taylor, the veteran QB picked-up by Los Angeles in free-agency, had injured his chest and had just been ruled out. As Fernando Ramirez of Sports Illustrated reported, Lynn's announcement of the change may have caught the Oregon alumni by surprise, but the rookie remained undaunted, saying he had prepared as if he were the expected starter.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert says he was excited when Lynn told him he was starting. Herbert says Lynn told 5-10 seconds before kickoff. He said he has been training as the guy, so he felt good going in.
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) September 21, 2020
While the circumstances around Justin Herbert's ascension to the starting job may have been less than ideal, the same cannot be said of the way he performed against the Chiefs.
Highly touted as a prospect coming into the draft, Justin Herbert had an ability to spread the field with accurate, deep throws. That was only surpassed by his mobility within the pocket to avoid an aggressive Kansas City pass rush.
Though he only scored four rushing touchdowns in his time at Oregon–a departure from past QBs who played in Eugene–Justin Herbert obtained his first score as a pro, with a run option that put the Chargers ahead early; a lead they would only relinquish as time expired in regulation.
Ultimately losing the game in overtime, Los Angeles has to feel confident about its investment in the rookie. Justin Herbert displayed the type of high-ceiling potential that is crucial for would be contenders.
After a last-second start from Justin Herbert, the Chargers' future looks a lot brighter than it did at the start of the day.
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