Dan Orlovsky Defends Justin Herbert Amid Criticism

The first week of the NFL season saw a major upset when the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, a team led by highly regarded quarterback Justin Herbert. This surprising outcome sparked conversations about Herbert’s place among top quarterbacks, particularly with former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who is now an analyst.

During an appearance on ESPN 2’s “Unsportsmanlike” with hosts Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, and Michelle Smallmon, Orlovsky faced questions about his preference for Herbert over other established quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts. Cohen directly asked Orlovsky, “Why do you love quarterbacks who haven’t done it versus those who have? Why do you love Herbert… why do you not love [Jalen] Hurts?”

Jalen Hurts, a quarterback with a Super Bowl victory in his career, had a strong Week 1 performance. He led his team to a 24-22 win against the Washington Commanders. Hurts completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards, threw three touchdowns, and scored a rushing touchdown. Despite his achievements, Orlovsky initially had doubts about Hurts, influenced by his college career and the Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to move from Carson Wentz to Hurts. However, Orlovsky admitted to changing his view after witnessing Hurts’ success in the NFL, stating, “I have removed any doubts.”

Orlovsky’s support for Herbert is well-known. In a previous appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Orlovsky predicted that Herbert would be among the top five in the MVP race by Thanksgiving. He also expressed a preference for the Chargers over the Chiefs in the AFC West, due to the Chargers’ strong “offensive unit.”

In Week 1, Herbert completed 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception as the Chargers lost 26-14 to the Cardinals. Arizona’s quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, threw for 277 yards and a touchdown, leading the Cardinals to a total of 393 yards of offense.

The pressure remains on Herbert to prove his capabilities in leading the Chargers to postseason success. Despite recognition as one of the top quarterbacks by analysts, he has not yet won a playoff game, having lost all three of his attempts. The Chargers aim to bounce back from their Week 1 defeat when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 4:05 p.m. ET.