The Los Angeles Chargers were the lower-seeded team in their Wild Card Round matchup with the Houston Texans, but no one anticipated star quarterback Justin Herbert to be at fault for the defeat.
The Chargers fell to the Texans, 32-12, as Herbert threw four interceptions, one of which resulted in a pick-six for Houston safety Eric Murray. The most absurd part of Herbert’s stat line is the four interceptions exceeded the total number of picks thrown by the L.A. QB in the entire regular season, in which he threw three in 17 games.
Chargers fans were understandably upset with their franchise quarterback, with some even questioning his future with the organization.
Fans React to Justin Herbert’s Meltdown Against the Texans
It wasn’t all bad from Herbert, as he threw an 86-yard touchdown to first-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The play was simply too little too late, despite McConkey finishing his postseason debut with nine receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown.
Still, the fans did not care, as social media was flooded with pure hate toward the star QB.
“Serious conversations need to be held about Justin Herbert after this game,” one fan posted.
Serious conversations need to be held about Justin Herbert after this game
— Prez💊 ‘ (@PresidentEmbiid) January 12, 2025
“If I hear 1 more thing about Justin Herbert. Guy SUCKS,” high-profile sports media personality Dave Portnoy posted.
If I hear 1 more thing about Justin Herbert. Guy SUCKS
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 12, 2025
Then, the comparisons began to flood social media. Many were ready to rank Herbert below the likes of Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, and a few even put him in the same conversation as Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
“Justin Herbert, you’ll never fool me again,” one user wrote. “This guy looked like a tier 1 QB all year & fell apart in the playoffs. It is what it is but I don’t want this guy in convos with Joe Burrow anymore.”
Justin Herbert, you’ll never fool me again.
This guy looked like a tier 1 QB all year & fell apart in the playoffs. It is what it is but I don’t want this guy in convos with Joe Burrow anymore.
— EA (@EAB_740) January 12, 2025
“Lack of objectivity when analyzing QBs is pretending that Justin Herbert has accomplished more than Brock Purdy when, in fact, he has accomplished far less,” a 49ers analyst posted.
Lack of objectivity when analyzing QBs is pretending that Justin Herbert has accomplished more than Brock Purdy when, in fact, he has accomplished far less
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 12, 2025
This statement appears a bit absurd on the surface, but from a pure success standpoint, it’s true. Purdy has a Super Bowl appearance on his résumé while Herbert is yet to even win a playoff game. Not to mention, he hasn’t met expectations in either postseason game he’s appeared in.
“Every year the playoffs come around and every year I have absolutely no idea what people are talking about when they rank Justin Herbert ahead of Jalen Hurts,” one fan expressed.
Every year the playoffs come around and every year I have absolutely no idea what people are talking about when they rank Justin Herbert ahead of Jalen Hurts
— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) January 12, 2025
There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel for Los Angeles. In the team’s first year with head coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm, a playoff appearance is a solid sign of what’s to come.