In the high stakes world of American Football, teams are always on the lookout for the next superstar. Justin Herbert, the sought-after quarterback from the Los Angeles Chargers, became the center of such attention recently.
The two teams in question were none other than the storied New England Patriots and the formidable Minnesota Vikings. Both franchises were reportedly in talks with the Chargers regarding Herbert’s availability in the weeks leading up to the draft.
The Chargers have been going through a period of change. They had a rocky 2023 season, which followed a crushing defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs the season before. Key players like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler were let go.
Adding further to their woes, Herbert suffered an injury that cut his season short. This was a significant setback for the Chargers who were already reeling from an embarrassing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the aftermath of these events, the Chargers brought in Jim Harbaugh, the man who led Michigan to a national championship with a 15-0 season. Harbaugh was brought in to provide a new identity, but he was clear about one thing – he didn’t want a new quarterback.
The Patriots and Vikings, sensing an opportunity, tried to pry Herbert away from the Chargers. The Patriots ended up drafting Drake Maye with their third pick, while the Vikings moved up a spot to get Harbaugh’s quarterback at Michigan, J.J. McCarthy.
Despite the interest, Chargers’ general manager Joe Horitz was firm in his refusal to entertain any offers for Herbert. “No. No, at the combine I had some people ask me would we consider it, and they were quickly shot down. No, that is never an option,” he was quoted as saying.
Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the class behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa during the 2020 NFL Draft. He had signed an extension worth over $260 million before the 2023 season.
Despite the setbacks, there’s hope for the Chargers. They gave Herbert some much-needed support by drafting Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The Chargers are hopeful that with these new additions and Herbert’s return, they can turn their fortunes around.
