Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn on Thursday named rookie quarterback Justin Herbert the team’s starter going forward.
Lynn had said Tyrod Taylor, who was sidelined after a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung while giving him a painkilling injection, would start when he was 100 percent healthy. But after watching Herbert wow the league with impressive numbers against the Kansas City Chiefs in an overtime loss, a close loss to the Carolina Panthers and another close loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — all three were by less than one score — Lynn said he made a decision against what he had said earlier.
“He impressed from the very beginning,” Lynn said. “This young man is going to continue to get better and I know we can win with him. I believe that.
“I did not take that decision lightly. It’s not a decision where he’s going to be looking over his shoulder… he’s our quarterback.”
Lynn said Taylor did not take the decision well — “he’s a competitor” — but believes Taylor will continue to mentor Herbert the rest of the season.
His next start will be his first on Monday Night Football, against the Saints in New Orleans.
