Justin Herbert receives high praise from retired QB Drew Brees

The Los Angeles Chargers found their quarterback of the future last season in Justin Herbert. On Sunday Night Football, longtime NFL quarterback Drew Brees has high praise for Herbert. Brees, who retired following last season, compared Herbert to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.

Brees: Herbert is one of the NFL’s best athletes

After throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns over his first two seasons with the Oregon Ducks, Herbert broke out in his final two collegiate seasons. As a junior in 2018, Herbert threw for 2,151 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In 2019, Herbert threw for 3,471 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. His strong finish to his college career led to him being one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Chargers selected Herbert sixth overall in the 2020 draft. Brees, also drafted by the Chargers in 2002, praised Herbert on Sunday. Throughout the offseason, Brees has been impressed with Herbert’s arm talent and all-around ability.

“I think he is extremely impressive,” Brees said of Herbert on Sunday Night Football. “They don’t make many athletes like him, maybe him and Josh Allen, with the size, the strength, the speed, and the arm strength. But his ability to make all the throws after spending time with him in OTAs and then even last week, we did their joint practices with the 49ers.”

Herbert is in line for a huge sophomore season

As a rookie last season, Herbert completed two-thirds of his passes. He threw for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, rushing for five more scores. Herbert took over for Tyrod Taylor early in the season and never gave back the starting job. The Chargers finished 7-9, but won the final four games of the season behind Herbert’s strong play.

Heading into this season, the Chargers should make a leap towards playoff contention. Herbert has great weapons to throw to, in addition to a now fully healthy running back in Austin Ekeler and an improved offensive line. The Chargers also hired former Saints’ quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi as their new offensive coordinator.

“This is a guy that has command of that offense, with Joe Lombardi bringing that offense from the New Orleans Saints,” Brees said. “He has the ability to push the ball down the field. He’s got weapons in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. I think he is poised to have a great season.”

It might be a tall task to catch up to the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West, but the Chargers should be in good position to return to the playoffs this season with Herbert at the helm.