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On Tuesday, the Pro Football Writer’s of America announced their All-NFL and All-Rookie teams, and you won’t be surprised to see who headlines the laundry list of phenomenal rookies.
Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert was named the PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and overall Rookie of the Year, alongside Washington’s Chase Young who won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Herbert, the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, wasn’t expected to start from get go as a rookie. But due to an unfortunate medical mishap involving starter Tyrod Taylor, Herbert was forced into action in Week 2 against the reigning Super Bowl champs and the rest is history.
In 15 games, Herbert set numerous NFL rookie records. Most notably, he re-wrote the mark for passing touchdowns (31), total touchdowns (36), and total completions (396). Through October and November, Herbert was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Month.
The former Oregon product became the first Chargers player to be named as the PFWA’s Rookie of the Year and the second to win the offensive award, joining wide receiver Keenan Allen in 2013.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert has been named the @PFWAwriters NFL Rookie of the Year, as well as their Offensive Rookie of the Year.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 19, 2021
Washington DE Chase Young was chosen by the PFWA as its Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Linebacker Kenneth Murray joined Herbert on the All-Rookie team as one of three players at his position. The other two were Baltimore’s Patrick Queen and Arizona’s Isaiah Simmons.
Murray set the Chargers rookie tackle record with 107, besting Derwin James’ mark of 105 set in 2018 during his First-Team All-Pro campaign. The former Sooner also finished with five tackles-for-loss, one sack, and three pass breakups.