LA Chargers: Justin Herbert shines in MNF duel vs. Drew Brees

LA Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert showed up big in his first prime-time performance on Monday Night Football.

On ESPN’s Monday Night Football against New Orleans Saints legendary signal-caller Drew Brees, rookie quarterback Justin Herbert continued elevating his profile as the quarterback of the LA Chargers.

His biggest must-see moment came with 3:40 remaining in regulation, as the first-year pro launched a 64-yard bomb to receiver Mike Williams for a go-ahead touchdown.

The strength of Herbert’s right arm rivals the power of a rocket-launcher… just kidding. That’s obviously a joke. But to be completely honest, his elite arm strength is the one tool that will soon become his calling card. It was on full display throughout the game, which saw Herbert become the first rookie quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a Monday Night Football debut.

Defensive coordinators throughout the NFL will surely be throwing fits for years to come while trying to limit the rookie’s game-changing ability to stretch the field on any given toss. Herbert’s final stat line for the game was impressive. The former Oregon Duck finished 20-of-34 passing, for 264 yards and four touchdowns.

Justin Herbert has been everything the LA Chargers envisioned when taking him in the 2020 NFL Draft

Equipped with a big arm and standing 6-foot-6, it’s no surprise Herbert has been holding his own in duels with other MVP gunslingers and future Hall of Fame signal-callers during the early going of this season.

First, he burst onto the scene in a thrilling overtime loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Then, a couple of weeks later he found himself on the road in Tampa Bay matching wits with six-time NFL champion QB Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

The list would be a tall order of business for anyone, let alone a 22-year-old newcomer facing the pressure of high expectations.

Did I mention Herbert also bears the burden of one day becoming the face of Bolts football in Los Angeles? It’s a monumental task. However, the Eugene, Oregon native continues to prove he’s up for the challenge. His 931 passing yards in his first three games were an NFL rookie record.

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What’s next for Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers?

Despite allowing Brees and the Saints to rally for a 30-27 overtime victory, both Los Angeles fans and the entire LA Chargers organization should have sufficient evidence through Herbert’s first four starts to be optimistic moving forward the rest of this season and into the future.

In Herbert’s starts against Kansas City, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans, the rookie has accumulated a total of 1,195 passing yards to go along with nine touchdowns. He’s also been taking care of the football by throwing just three interceptions so far. None came during the loss to the Saints.

Losers of four-straight games, the Chargers (1-4) will look to change their fortunes next week when hosting Gardner Minshew and the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The prolific tandem of Herbert and his go-to receiver Williams should be primed for another big game. The Jags defense is suffering from a rash of injuries and could potentially be missing four starters, including rookie first-round cornerback C.J. Henderson.