Like Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert grew to become the highest-paid participant in his league, inking a five-year $262.5 million extension with the group. The preliminary takeaway is essentially the identical even when the metrics by which they’re measured are totally different.
For Brown, it’s title or bust; for Herbert, it’s a playoff run or bust; however the pressure is allegedly on for each of them. The distinction is Herbert has been more or much less 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.
Regardless of the deal, and the expectations that come with it, Herbert isn’t going to really feel the watchful ire of Mass-holes claiming he’s not definitely worth the cash. Additionally, NFL contracts aren’t scrutinized the identical method NBA iterations are, as a result of the common Joe, or sportswriter, doesn’t perceive them, and we’re instructed 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 Super Bowl a few seasons in the past, they usually don’t fully really feel just like the Cleveland Cavaliers, or Miami Heat publish LeBron James. As it pertains to the Chargers, nobody can level to a supporting solid being but disserviced by its QB’s checking account — aside from Austin Ekeler, and he’s a working again, so he’s not presupposed to receives a commission both.
Brandon Staley, the ache sponge
Calling the Chargers head coach embattled is placing it as calmly as doable. He ought to’ve been gone after his group’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 group is for gagging, and he didn’t need to exchange a man who’s clearly hindering LA’s potential.
Until Staley is ousted, he’ll stay the primary purpose for any potential failings, and that is Brandon Staley, and the Chargers we’re speaking about, so there might be failings. When 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 really a very good to nice quarterback.
Instead, critics examine the field rating, see that his numbers had been serviceable, if not flat-out wonderful, and unfold the blame round like a well-made PBJ. If the Chargers had been solely a QB1 away from contending, then we’d see his play get nitpicked more typically.
No, both Mike Williams is injured, Staley put him in a meaningless sport during which he bought harm, the protection sucks, the kicker has the yips, or another fluke happens that leaves individuals stupefied. Herbert is just not 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 City.
If Chargers followers existed, I’m guessing most of them could be adamant Herbert defenders, and completely afraid of him coming to the belief he’s taking part in for a second-rate franchise that actually doesn’t deserve him.
There might be Justin Herbert detractors, as a result of First Take isn’t a severe present. However, logic and customary sense ought to bear out that the shortcomings of the Los Angeles Chargers are certainly a bunch effort.
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