NFL Network's Brian Baldinger put together a nearly 10-minute breakdown of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's 2020 record-setting rookie season.
Baldinger started with Herbert's first game at SoFi Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs, which included an eight-play, 79-yard opening drive capped by a four-yard rushing touchdown by the rookie. Herbert would go on to throw the Chargers' first touchdown pass in SoFi Stadium history: a 14-yard strike to wide receiver Jalen Guyton.
Baldy's breakdown ended with Los Angeles' four straight wins to close the 2020 season, which left him wondering if the Chargers can contend with Kansas City for the division in 2021.
"And you just think, 'Could they challenge the Chiefs next year?'" Baldinger asked. "New coach, new system, but Justin Herbert coming back? How about the bar he set for any rookie quarterback coming into the league this year, and next year, and any year after it?
"Four wins in a row – what a year by Justin Herbert."
Take a look at the best photos from the Bolts' 2020 campaign through the lens of team photographer, Mike Nowak, and manager of photography, Ty Nowell.
ENOUGH - The first time the team came to SoFi Stadium was a memorable one, as the scheduled scrimmage was canceled in wake of the unrest that was happening in the country due to social injustice. This shot was taken as the team huddled together in front of NFL Network cameras to use their platform to demand change. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Together - This shot was the first of the 2020 Chargers taking the field together ahead of kickoff for Week 1. There was no guarantee this season would start on time, and for a while, it may have seemed touch and go, but this shot personifies unity and how everyone came together and worked hard to get it going. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler Hovers - Austin Ekeler is known for being pound-for-pound the strongest player on the team, but here, he looks light as a feather as he corrals the football and hovers inches off the ground. The magic of photography. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Bird's Eye View - One of the best parts of SoFi Stadium is the various vantage points of which you can scale for shots. This was right before Justin Herbert's first NFL touchdown, as he faked the handoff to Joshua Kelley and rolled right to run it in for the score. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
The Conversation - This was taken following Herbert's first score and drive in Week 2. Here, he debriefs with quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. When he came off the field, NFL Films caught him telling the guys it was "probably the coolest 15 minutes of my life." Don't forget, Herbert was pressed into action just seconds before kickoff and took the team 79 yards in eight plays to cap it off with a touchdown. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
High Boltage - This overhead shot of Justin Herbert dropping back at midfield right in the middle of the bolt cemented his prophecy of playing professional football in Los Angeles for the team he grew up cheering for. Sometimes things come full circle. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Pick Six - Pick sixes are great, but they carry a little extra something when they're done against the greatest QBs at the position. Here in Week 4, Michael Davis picked off Tom Brady and returned it 78 yards for the score. I love the raw emotion coming from the bench, just look at Jerry Tillery! - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
80/20 - No one in the NFL high-points a ball better than Mike Williams and week after week, he still makes it look easy. As it was said many times this season, 50/50 balls are 80/20s for him and here, he makes it look like an artform. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
54 & 13 - Here's Melvin Ingram and Keenan Allen running out of the tunnel before a game. As the two longest-tenured guys on the team, they've been through a lot together, they've seen a lot together, and it's pretty cool they were able to see SoFi Stadium through. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Big Man Spike - This is one of those that shows the true excitement from the players after a score. After Kalen Ballage ran it in for a touchdown to tie the game early against the Las Vegas Raiders, he was looking for someone to hand the ball to and celebrate with. That guy just so happened to be Dan Feeney, who from the looks of it, couldn't be more pumped. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Outside the Huddle - An NFL huddle is a place known only to those who are in it. Here, we get a look at what it's like to be an outsider looking in, as we peer over the defensive line with Justin Jones, Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, Jerry Tillery, and Isaac Rochell all noticeably in frame. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
21st Century AFL Throwback - This game was an all-uniform classic that harkened back to the days of the AFL with the Dolphins in their throwbacks and the Chargers in an updated version of their '60s classics. The low angle of this shot makes you feel like you're on the field watching this tackle from Justin Jones. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Slayer in the Spotlight - I found this lone spotlight over Keenan Allen in one of those quiet moments just outside the locker room which highlights the bull tattoo on the back of his neck as well as the name on his jersey. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Bosa's Big Day - Joey Bosa racked up a number of career highlights in Week 12's game against the Buffalo Bills and it was hard to pick just one photo. This to me was the best. He had three total sacks in the game, and if you've ever wanted to know what it feels like with Bosa coming at you full force, just look at Josh Allen's face. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Silhouetted in Buffalo - This is one of those shots that I had to work for. There was an opportunity to get a shot like this in Denver, but it didn't come out right. Fast forward four weeks to Buffalo, and I tried it again as the sun began to set just before the start of the third quarter. The sun flare hits over the grandstand with a silhouette of Justin Herbert in the foreground. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Welcome to 2020 - With limited on-field access for additional photographers due to COVID-19 protocols, I had a remote setup stationed low to the ground and decided to place it below the Showtime Cam. It ended up working out great, and I was able to capture some really unique shots including this one after a pick. I also liked how it showed a full view of the emptiness of SoFi Stadium without fans and the video board. It sums up the crazy year that was 2020. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Hitman with the INT - With time running down in the fourth quarter and a tie ball game, Jahleel Addae played the role of hero. From the far corner of the opposite endzone I saw him break on the ball and caught this frame a split-second before he caught Matt Ryan's errant pass. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Touchdown Tyron - Every year brings new players into the fold on gameday, and Tyron Johnson was one of those in 2020. Here he is strutting back to his teammates after his 26-yard touchdown on Thursday Night Football. The Vegas lights weren't too bright for him that night and he shines amongst the darkness of Allegiant Stadium. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
The Hammer - There's always one of those photos every year that makes football look like a work of art. This is one of them. It captures that brief moment in time when Denzel Perryman burst through to drop Chiefs tight end Deon Yelder for a loss. Perryman's known as the "hammer" of the defense, and this shows why. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Season Finale - A quarterback and center's relationship is probably the tightest on a football team, and the ride that Justin Herbert and Dan Feeney took in 2020 only grew stronger as the year went on. Here's Feeney celebrating Herbert's keeper TD in the season finale. The joy on his face is unmistakable as was the excitement to close out the season with four-straight wins. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
