Like Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert turned the highest-paid participant in his league, inking a five-year $262.5 million extension with the crew. The preliminary takeaway is basically the identical even when the metrics by which they’re measured are completely different.
For Brown, it’s title or bust; for Herbert, it’s a playoff run or bust; however the strain is allegedly on for each of them. The distinction is Herbert has been roughly proof against criticism from followers and pundits, as a result of the Chargers are infamous choke artists, they don’t have followers, and he’s not a Black man in Boston.
Whatever the deal, and the expectations that include it, Herbert isn’t going to really feel the watchful ire of Mass-holes claiming he’s not definitely worth the cash. Moreover, NFL contracts aren’t scrutinized the identical means NBA iterations are, as a result of the typical Joe, or sportswriter, doesn’t perceive them, and we’re informed each participant outdoors of the quarterback is replaceable.
The Los Angeles Rams repeatedly went all-in on offers, free brokers, and trades to win a Tremendous Bowl a few seasons in the past, they usually don’t fully really feel just like the Cleveland Cavaliers, or Miami Warmth submit LeBron James. Because it pertains to the Chargers, nobody can level to a supporting forged being but disserviced by its QB’s checking account — apart from Austin Ekeler, and he’s a working again, so he’s not alleged to receives a commission both.
Brandon Staley, the ache sponge
Calling the Chargers head coach embattled is placing it as evenly as attainable. He ought to’ve been gone after his crew’s epic 31-30 collapse to the Jacksonville Jaguars in final yr’s Wild Card sport, however proprietor Dean Spanos is as notorious for being low cost as his crew is for gagging, and he didn’t need to exchange a man who’s clearly hindering LA’s potential.
Till Staley is ousted, he’ll stay the principle cause for any potential failings, and that is Brandon Staley, and the Chargers we’re speaking about, so there can be failings. While you watch Los Angeles blow video games, none of it appears as if it’s overtly Herbert’s fault, as a result of he’s truly an excellent to nice quarterback.
As an alternative, critics verify the field rating, see that his numbers have been serviceable, if not flat-out wonderful, and unfold the blame round like a well-made PBJ. If the Chargers have been solely a QB1 away from contending, then we’d see his play get nitpicked extra usually.
No, both Mike Williams is injured, Staley put him in a meaningless sport wherein he acquired damage, the protection sucks, the kicker has the yips, or another fluke happens that leaves folks stupefied. Herbert shouldn’t be Zach Wilson on the 2022 New York Jets, or any variety of Chicago Bears sign callers who’ve derailed so many stable groups within the Windy Metropolis.
If Chargers followers existed, I’m guessing most of them could be adamant Herbert defenders, and completely frightened of him coming to the belief he’s enjoying for a second-rate franchise that truthfully doesn’t deserve him.
There can be Justin Herbert detractors, as a result of First Take isn’t a critical present. Nevertheless, logic and customary sense ought to bear out that the shortcomings of the Los Angeles Chargers are certainly a bunch effort.
