Everyone got caught up when ESPN’s odds suddenly swung in favor of the Los Angeles Chargers drafting a quarterback last offseason. It went from 100-1 to 6-1 in no time. That kind of shift doesn’t just happen. With Jim Harbaugh in LA and all the love he threw at JJ McCarthy, people started wondering if he was planning to draft his Michigan guy and trade away Justin Herbert? It sounded wild but possible… until Adam Schefter shut it all down. He said trading Herbert would trigger over $100 million in dead money, the biggest cap hit in NFL history. No team’s doing that, no matter how much they love a rookie. So yeah, the buzz was just a rumor while it lasted, but Herbert was never leaving. However, that doesn’t mean Chargers GM Joe Hortiz never wanted a QB behind Herbert.
During a new episode of Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Hortiz revealed that despite there were talks that the Chargers aren’t looking for a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft. They actually were! Yes, and that QB, whom Jim Harbaugh’s team was evaluating, was none other than Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye.
While speaking about his first-round draft pick RB Omarion Hampton, Hortiz admitted, “The back running backs are important in this league, and we got a great young one, and everyone was excited to get him. (He is) Just a really talented player. I watched him honestly when I was watching Drake Maye last to last December or November. I’m watching Drake, I’m like, Holy Cow, who is this running back?” Although Hortiz focused on praising Hampton’s running game and arm tackles, he unintentionally slipped his scouting approach towards Maye.
Nevertheless, Maye, who was considered a top QB prospect of 2024, wasn’t drafted by the Chargers. Instead, he landed with the Patriots. Perhaps, that was a good decision, given the fact that Maye is still in his learning phase. And Herbert? Ah, the man has won his coach’s heart. So, this year? Jim Harbaugh’s team was more focused on other positions, as they drafted a total of nine players.
That means, they weren’t eyeing any QB this time? Well, perhaps, they were. When host Adams got the chance to ask a question: “Joe, you were scouting quarterbacks?” To which, the 49-year-old man replied, “Well, you always got to evaluate the quarterbacks, you know. You always got to evaluate the quarterback…..I was scouting the offense.”
Hmmm…that sounds a bit strange, as earlier the rumors were that they aren’t looking for a QB. And now the evaluation part hints that Harbaugh is open to options, despite his HOF promise to Justin Herbert.
Jim Harbaugh wants Justin Herbert to be the franchise’s legend?
Ever since landing in L.A., Jim Harbaugh has been all in on Justin Herbert. This time, he is coming up with a pledge in his mind. Harbaugh woke up at 3:30 in the morning with one thing burning in his mind – he’s gotta get QB Herbert to the Hall of Fame. That’s the goal, and he’s not shy about it.
He said, “I woke up the other day and said, ‘I got to get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame. Must get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame.” In their year one together, the Chargers went 11-6 and made the playoffs. But Jim Harbaugh knows that’s just the start. With Greg Roman dialing up a smashmouth run game to take some pressure off Herbert, they’re building smart. Still, when it matters, it’s that big arm they’re counting on.
Herbert threw the fewest passes of his career in a full season, but he made them count with nearly 66% completion, almost 4,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three picks. So, we can see that Jim Harbaugh’s got the vision, and Justin Herbert’s got the talent. Now it’s just about chasing greatness, one step at a time.
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