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Tom Brady played almost as long as Justin Herbert is alive.
Herbert, 22, expects at least part of the success Brady has had.
“I think someone should aspire to be like Tom Brady, to be as successful as he has been since he was able to do so, ”said the Chargers quarterback on Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I don’t think there is anyone who has done something like this before. To win, this is the ultimate goal of the defender’s position is to put your team in a position to win. He has been able to do that. He’s a competitor and finds a way to win, and I think that’s the best part of it. “
Herbert had a better debut season than Brady. Brady played just one game, with no starts, and launched just three passes.
Herbert won the offensive rookie of the year award in 2020, shooting for 4,336 yards with 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Brady did not launch for more yards or more touchdowns than until his eighth season, when he passed 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns.
But Brady, of course, won his first of seven Super Bowls in his second season.
Herbert was 6-9 as a starter in 2020, but the Chargers, it could be argued, were better than his record. They have a new coach and high hopes for 2021.
While the Chargers could easily be better in 2021, Herbert hopes to be.
“I think I can continue to learn about the game,” he said. “I think if I know more about defenses, coverings, pressures, all of that, I think it will help our team better, and I think if I can master the manual and know exactly what we are doing, why we are doing it, so that when I get to the scrimmage line and I see a certain front, I see a certain pressure, I can put ourselves in a big move. “