Chargers Star Running Back Draws Parallels Between Justin Herbert and Legendary Bolts QB
The Los Angeles Chargers have some mighty high expectations as we approach the 2023 season. LA has much to prove, and no one might have more to prove than Bolts star quarterback Justin Herbert.
All eyes will be on Herbert to take the Chargers over the top, and this was before the massive contract extension he signed at the start of training camp.
The young QB is up for the challenge as he is healthy and doing his thing in training camp. The 25-year-old has grown every season, and Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler has witnessed it the whole way.
Ekeler spoke to senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein and discussed Herbert's growth, drawing parallels to Bolts' legendary QB, Philip Rivers.
“Just that communication in the backfield that we used to have with Philip [Rivers] when he was like 17 years in, that I’m starting to see with Herbert right now,” Ekeler said, comparing his fourth-year quarterback to the eight-time Pro Bowler he began his career alongside. “He understands the protections now, he’s seeing it, he’s switching calls [and] calling plays from the line of scrimmage.
“I can start to see him really maturing into a veteran quarterback.”
A comparison to one of the greatest quarterbacks this generation has witnessed is not too bad.
Ekeler knows a thing or two about Rivers, as he was his backfield mate for three seasons. The 28-year-old has been with Herbert for three seasons, going on four, so if he sees it, it must be true.
Herbert has the potential to be the greatest Charger in franchise history and beyond, as he has all the tools to be a Hall of Fame-type QB.
Year four will be a big one for Justin and the Bolts, and we'll see how that development translates to the actual games.
