Justin Herbert ready to build on record-setting rookie NFL season

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert barely had time to process his first NFL start this past season. The former Oregon quarterback told the league that he received the news about 10 or 15 seconds before kickoff.

Herbert made an emergency start in week two against Kansas City after a team doctor punctured quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s lung while trying to administer pain medicine. Even the rookie’s teammates were puzzled to see him.

“When I first walked to the huddle I met (tight end) Hunter Henry and he kind of looks at me and goes, ‘What are you doing out here?'” Herbert said. “I think everyone was kind of surprised. No one was expecting that.”

He shook off the initial shock to finish with 311 yards passing and two total touchdowns. The Chargers lost a nail biter, 23-20, but Herbert would be officially announced the starter by week four.

Justin Herbert won offensive rookie of the year this past NFL season, setting rookie records for both passing touchdowns (31) and completions (396). He finished with a 6-9 record as the starter as the Chargers missed the playoffs.

They let go of head coach Anthony Lynn and brought in Brandon Staley this offseason.

“My rookie year in the NFL went by like a blur,” Herbert said. “Obviously, we would have loved to win a couple more games. We had some close games that we felt like we could have won, but that’s a fun challenge to go through. I felt like we learned a lot.”

Herbert said the most challenging part of his rookie season was having to learn a new offense entirely online. NFL teams did not have in-person training camp because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The former Duck was glad to have the opportunity to get to see his teammates this summer.

“It’s one thing to go over everything through pictures and images, but it’s another to go out there and rep it,” he said. “Being able to have those OTAs in person is huge for team camaraderie. When the bullets are flying and games are happening, you need to be able to communicate. Having a solid understanding of each other I think is what that is built on.”

The Chargers ended last year on a four-game winning streak. Herbert said that gives him confidence in the group he has around him for this season.

“The way the team turned around at the end of the year was the best part,” he said. “To come back and win four in a row like that doesn’t happen too often in the NFL. The way the guys showed up the next day at work and continued to work hard and give everything they had, I was really proud of those guys.”

He has high goals for both himself and his team in 2021. The Chargers lost tight end Hunter Henry in free agency but bring back receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Herbert believes the team is good enough to improve on last season’s results.

“The mindset should be the win Super Bowls,” he said. “I just want to be around and play this game for as long as I can because I love football. You can’t start thinking too far ahead, but I definitely have high hopes for this team. We can do a lot of good things this year.”