Los Angeles Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert recently joined The Herd with Colin Cowherd to talk about his phenomenal rookie season and playing against his childhood idol Tom Brady.
Herbert talked about being in awe of the chance to face Brady and seeing him warming up ahead of the game.
“Pregame, yeah,” the young star quarterback admitted. “I was out there warming up and I saw him come out on the field. I just watched him for five minutes, just seeing what he was doing. I’ve got so much to learn from the guy and he’s had so much success. I’ve always been a big fan of his, so it was really cool to be able to line up across from him.”
Herbert vs. Tom Brady
Justin Herbert at 22 years of age has been alive just 1 year longer than Tom Brady’s NFL career.
Justin Herbert is the only player since at least 1970 with 1,500+ pass yards and a 100+ passer rating over his first 5 career games
… It looks like the Chargers found their next franchise QB
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 25, 2020
Brady, 43, is in the midst of his 21st NFL season.
Herbert admits that he has looked up to Brady his entire life.
When the Chargers played the Bucs, Herbert told Colin Cowherd that he took a moment to watch Tom Brady on the sidelines.
Brady also complimented Herbert postgame.
Tom Brady on #Chargers rookie Justin Herbert: "He's got all the ability, he's got a great arm, and moves really well. The team believes in him, so he's off to a great start." #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/oW0thSYj7r
— Brendan Campbell (@brendan_camp) October 4, 2020
Who is Justin Herbert?
Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Herbert played for the hometown Ducks.
Through 4 years at Oregon, Herbert won his share of collegiate awards.
He won the William F. Campbell trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman in 2019.
This award is given to the student athlete who possesses the best combination of academic, athletic, and community service qualities.
He graduated with a biology degree and a 4.01 grade point average (on a 4.3 scale).
Herbert also was selected as the 2020 Rose Bowl MVP.
He was the 6th draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Herbert was not expected to start immediately as the Chargers intended for Tyrod Taylor to fill that role.
But as always with the NFL, circumstances change, and Herbert was thrust into the starting role in Week 2.
Herbert opposed Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees in 3 of his first 4 starts in the NFL.
Similarities between Herbert and Brady
Despite their age difference, Justin Herbert and Tom Brady do have things in common.
1. Both were thrust into the starting job unexpectedly.
Backup QBs Herbert and Brady got the nod after their teams’ starting QBs were injured.
In Brady’s case, Drew Bledsoe never got his starting job back in New England, and thus far Tyrod Taylor is sitting on the bench as Herbert continues to start.
2. Both started 2020 living in a new city, with new coaches and a new system.
There was much talk about Brady making the transition to Tampa Bay this late in his career.
But equally stressful and difficult is the college quarterback making the transition into the NFL ranks that Justin Herbert is working through with relative ease.
3. Both are playing great in 2020.
Herbert’s team, the Los Angeles Chargers, has a 2-4 record, but they have gone toe-to-toe with elite NFL quarterbacks/teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In all of his games, Herbert has played very well.
Brady’s team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has a 5-2 record.
The Bucs got off to a slow start and lost their opening game to the New Orleans Saints and lost a tight one to the Chicago Bears by one point.
Both quarterbacks seem to be feeling more confident and comfortable each week and continue to improve as the season progresses.
NEXT: Fans React To Chargers' Underwhelming Stats With Justin Herbert
