There is nothing that anyone could say to a Chargers fan to alleviate the sting of the team’s Wild Card loss to the Jaguars after they blew a 27-point lead in their first playoff game since 2018.
But quarterback Justin Herbert did his best in comments to the media following the Chargers’ utter collapse.
When asked if the disappointing result hurt more because the game was his playoff debut, he said that he and his teammates are keeping their eyes on the future and will use the loss as motivation rather than wallow in the pain of the brutal loss.
“Yeah, it’s really tough because we think really highly of our team and that’s a special group of guys in that locker room,” Herbert said. “They deserve better and it didn’t go our way and that’s the unfortunate part. Guys put everything they had into it this year, especially this game, and you hate to see it go that way.
“But I know that everyone in that locker room who comes back is going to use this one for fuel for the next year, and they’re excited to get back to work. Definitely tough to process, but got to keep it going and use this one as fuel.”
Overall, Herbert put together another relatively strong season, surpassing 4,000 passing yards for the third consecutive season, throwing for 25 touchdowns and finishing with a career-low ten interceptions.
Herbert’s leadership in the face of adversity is admirable. Still, even his sage words won’t be enough to satisfy the Chargers’ loyal fans, who, like the players the quarterback referenced, deserve better.