Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will have a new signal-caller distributing the wealth to him after having the luxury of Philip Rivers do so the past three seasons.
Tyrod Taylor will likely start out under center in 2020, but then the torch will eventually be passed on to first-round pick Justin Herbert.
While Ekeler and Herbert have been unable to develop a chemistry on the field due to the coronavirus outbreak, they have still partook in virtual meetings together.
Ekeler, who was featured on NFL Media’s Around The Horn, was asked about what he can say about Herbert so far.
“Definitely has a lot to learn. The NFL can be a big workload, especially for a quarterback coming in expected to learn the offense and play within the first couple of years. I think there’s going to be a workload that’s he going to have to work through and translate to the field when it comes to that time.”
Ekeler knows that it could take time for him to adapt, citing that it’s nearly always a struggle with rookie quarterbacks. He also mentions that it hurts not only Herbert’s development, but other rookies, without organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Herbert is in an ideal situation by not being forced to start. Under quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, the former Oregon product needs to continue to work on his mechanics and develop a better sense of the game from a mental standpoint before taking the reins.
Over time with the development, Herbert could be in a great position by playing in a system tailored to his strengths alongside a slew of solid skill players.
Herbert, Ekeler along with the rest of the team will take the field for the first time on July 28, as that marks the expected start date for training camp.