The Chargers drafted quarterback Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
While the picked received a mixed bag of opinions, it’s safe to say that one of the best players to ever play for the franchise – QB Dan Fouts – was a huge fan of the pick.
“They’re getting everything they want. Obviously, the physical tools are there, the intelligence is there; the toughness, competitiveness. He’s a good guy,” Fouts said. “(And I say that) not just because he’s a Duck and now he’s going to be a Charger. I’m very excited to watch him play.”
Herbert is the first Oregon quarterback taken by the Chargers since they drafted Fouts in 1973. Fouts led the franchise to four playoff trips and three division titles in a 15-year Hall of Fame career.
Both signal-callers had successful tenures for the Ducks and now, Fouts is hoping that Herbert is able to follow his footsteps at the professional level.
In order for him to flourish against NFL-level competition, Herbert still has things that need to be improved upon. He needs to continue to work on his mechanics and the mental side of the game, including quickening his processor and developing his eye discipline.
However, Fouts believes that Herbert is in the perfect situation to be set up for success, as he’s able to sit behind Tyrod Taylor for the upcoming season and he will now have a proven quarterbacks coach to work with, Pep Hamilton.
“But any quarterback that gets his start in the league as a rookie, there is so much to learn. You don’t even have any idea how much you have to learn, but you do learn every day,” Fouts said. “I think that’s the key. When you’ve got the brain that Herbert has, I think learning will come easy.”