Justin Herbert: Unveiling the Brilliance and the Challenges of a Rising Quarterback Star
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Justin Herbert, a remarkably gifted quarterback, was handpicked by the Los Angeles Chargers as the sixth overall pick in 2020. Since then, he has carved a path of success, leaving a mark on the sport. While his game boasts numerous strengths, it's important to remember that even the best can strive for improvement.
What Justin Hebert Does Well
Herbert has taken the league by storm ever since his first game. The 26-year-old has the talent to be one of the best. However, results have not gone Herbert’s way due to injuries to key playmakers such as Mike Williams and Kennan Allen in previous seasons. A significant strength for Herbert is his ability to get the ball downfield. It is an essential skill for a quarterback as it allows them to create big chunk plays. He hit the ground running in his rookie season; you can see this by his 31 passing touchdowns, which broke Baker Mayfield’s record. Herbert has successfully thrown for over 3,000 yards every season in the league. Consistency is vital, and Herbert has shown he can have a good production level over several years. Now, Herbert is at the right age where the young quarterback has a great blend of experience, and the former offensive rookie of the year has acquired the ability to run an offence. His past successes are a testament to his skill and potential, instilling confidence in his future performance.
Where He Can Improve
Even though injuries to their elite playmakers have hampered LA’s ability to get results, it's important to acknowledge that Herbert has areas for improvement. As previously stated, Herbert has had a good group of players around him. However, they didn’t make an impact during playoff time. Furthermore, Herbert and the Chargers seem to choke in essential games, for example, the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, where they blew a 30-point lead. Herbert is an excellent passer in a clean pocket. Yet, he struggles to make throws when pressure is coming for him. A lot of young quarterbacks struggle with this part of the game. Another weakness of his game is that Herbert struggles to make the right reads when passing the ball. It is a significant flaw; if the quarterback can’t read correctly, he could throw it at the wrong person. It can make a quarterback turnover prone, which is not the best quality. By being aware of these weaknesses, we can better understand his game and his potential for growth. He has time on his side, it will be exciting to see where he can go.
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