Justin Herbert’s quick success is now part of NFL history. During Monday night’s game against the Raiders, Herbert became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to complete 500 passes before his 20th start, according to NFL research.
Herbert — who made his 19th NFL start on Monday night — completed his 500th pass on a 4-yard connection to Jared Cook with 1:32 left in the second quarter. The completion helped set up Herbert’s third touchdown pass, as Los Angeles took a 21-0 halftime read over the visiting Raiders.
The reigning AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Herbert entered Monday night’s game with six touchdowns and three interceptions this season. After throwing more interceptions than touchdowns during the season’s first two games, Herbert threw four touchdowns in the Chargers‘ Week 3 win over the Chiefs. It marked Herbert’s second consecutive win over the Chiefs after throwing for 302 yards and three scores in last season’s Week 17 win in Kansas City.
Herbert and his teammates find themselves in the thick of things in what is possibly the AFC’s toughest division. Derek Carr and the Raiders entered Monday night’s game with a 3-0 record. Denver suffered its first loss of the season on Sunday, while the Chiefs fought back to .500 after defeating the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. Los Angeles is in pursuit of its first playoff berth since 2018, when it advanced to the divisional round before bowing out to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots.
While he is just in his second season, Herbert is already seventh in franchise history in career passing yards. On Monday night, Herbert moved passed Jack Kemp for sixth in franchise history in career touchdown passes. Herbert entered Monday’s game 704 yards behind Kemp for sixth on the franchise career passing list.