Ex-NFL QB takes shot at Miami Dolphins following Justin Herbert performance, ‘the Dolphins really…’

Justin Herbert’s performance brings back 2020 NFL draft comparison

The 2020 NFL draft was loaded with quarterback talent.

Joe Burrow emerged from the shadows amidst one of the greatest college football seasons of all time, cementing his place as the top quarterback in the draft.

Burrow hadn’t been on anybody’s top 20 when the season began, but an incredible year with Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, plus the playcalling of offensive coordinator Joe Brady, helped that offense destroy every team they faced that season, and win a National Championship.

Before Burrow’s miraculous emergence, Tua Tagovailoa was the quarterback everybody was talking about. He was the freshman who’d stepped into a game and won a National Championship, and had proven to be one of the most accurate pocket passers college football had seen in recent years.

Justin Herbert was the prototypical NFL QB. He was tall and strong with a big arm, and had made incredible plays as the starting quarterback of the Oregon Ducks.

When the Miami Dolphins beat the Cincinnati Bengals that year, they waved goodbye to their shot at the number one pick in the draft. They ended up at five on the board, with the LA Chargers right behind them at six.

Tua had suffered a nightmare hip injury during that college football season, which had warned teams off of drafting him. The ‘Tank for Tua’ conversation had softened to a whisper, and now Joe Burrow’s name was the one everybody was talking about.

As luck would have it, the Miami Dolphins still got to choose between quarterbacks despite having the fifth pick in the draft. The Bengals selected Burrow first overall, the Washington Commanders took Chase Young, the Detroit Lions selected corner Jeff Okudah, and the New York Giants took tackle Andrew Thomas.

Miami was able to choose between Tua and Herbert, and opted to go with the pocket-deadeye lefty, who had shown signs of recovery following his injury.

Quarterbacks drafted one after the other are locked into a debate for the rest of their careers.

Ex-NFL QB turned creator Kurt Benkert opted to remind fans of that choice after Friday night’s game. He posted on X, saying:

“The Dolphins really drafted Tua over Justin Herbert. Then went and paid him more than Herbert the second they got the chance.”

Neither Tua nor Herbert has won a playoff game yet in their careers, but the belief is that Herbert now has a much better chance of doing so on a team led by Jim Harbaugh.

The Chargers quarterback looks more confident than ever and is surrounded by an elite group of pass catchers and an outstanding offensive line.

Ryan Clark had criticism for Herbert just days before the game, but the QB quickly silenced his critics by beating Mahomes in a prime-time game.

This might be the year the Chargers make a run, and a win in the AFC West to start the season, against last year’s AFC champions no less, is a phenomenal start. They have some outstanding young players, and after bringing back Keenan Allen, the offense looks ready to compete.

Chargers’ offensive line led a standout win despite the loss of franchise left tackle

The LA Chargers’ performance against the Chiefs on Friday night was outstanding. Joe Alt was one of the most impressive on the roster, having switched over to left tackle this season.

Alt started all but one game at right tackle in his rookie season, but moved over to the left a matter of weeks ago following a season-ending injury to Rashawn Slater.

Despite facing the likes of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, Alt was incredible, covering Herbert’s blindside throughout the game.

He didn’t allow a single hurry, QB hit, or sack, playing a near-perfect game. There’s no denying he will be their left tackle for the season, and if the offensive line continues to play at that level, the Chargers have a real shot at a playoff run this season.