Chargers QB Justin Herbert Quietly Joined Tom Brady in Exclusive Company During Wild Week 18 Clash Against the Raiders
Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Chargers are not playing in the NFL Playoffs this weekend. Everybody wanted to see at least one more game of Justin Herbert, but the Las Vegas Raiders shattered those dreams in a wild Week 18 clash.
After the Raiders sent the Chargers home for good, all the talk was about Brandon Staley’s questionable timeout call in overtime. However, Herbert joined an exclusive company with Tom Brady during the final game of the season — and for some reason, nobody is talking about it.
Justin Herbert joins Tom Brady in the 5,000-yard club
Somehow, someway, Herbert just passed the 5,000-yard mark on the season and it took him an overtime period to do so.
Nonetheless, he finished the year with 5,014 yards and joined Brady as the only two quarterbacks this season to accomplish the feat. Herbert ended the game with a massive 34-64 clip for 383 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
The second-year signal-caller delivered a masterful fourth-quarter drive to send the game into overtime, a drive that took 20 plays and ended in a Mike Williams touchdown to send the game into extra time.
Then in overtime, Herbert crossed the 5,000-yard mark, quite the accomplishment for the former Oregon Ducks quarterback. Former Chargers LB Shawne Merriman also raved about the eye-popping performance from Herbert, one that was unreal to witness.
Herbert added another massive accomplishment to his lengthy stack, even in the loss. After all, anytime you can etch your name next to Brady, you know you’re doing something right.
Justin Herbert and Tom Brady join a short list of quarterbacks to throw for 5,000 yards
This list features a ton of high-profile names and Jameis Winston. Nonetheless, Herbert can add his name to this group, and even though it took 17 games, it is still impressive.
With the NFL adding a 17th game to the schedule, more quarterbacks should be crossing this threshold in the coming years.
The most eye-popping of them all is the fact that Drew Brees did this five times. Really.
For a young quarterback who drew some doubts coming into the 2021 NFL Draft, a 5,000-yard season is quite the feat, and there will be plenty more caveats for Herbert if he can continue at this rate.
The Chargers QB set a torrid pace in his first two seasons in the league
The Miami Dolphins must be kicking themselves for drafting Tua Tagovailoa and letting Herbert fall to the Chargers.
Sure, Tagovailoa looks like a fine quarterback, but Herbert is the real deal. He was named the Pro Bowl starter for the AFC this season and set record after record despite missing out on the playoffs.
Moreover, his first two seasons rank him at the top in NFL history in a few impressive categories.
Before you mention anything about the added game, remember that Herbert didn’t start for the Chargers to begin the 2020 season — it was Tyrod Taylor.
Herbert played 15 games his rookie year and all 17 in his sophomore campaign. Nonetheless, these numbers are still unworldly.
The legend of Herbert will only continue, and with Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler back next season — and possibly Mike Williams — the sky is the limit for this offense.
The loss to the Raiders will sting for quite some time, but as long as Herbert is under center in LA, the Chargers will be feeling pretty good about the direction of this franchise.
Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference
