Why is Justin Herbert called a “social media quarterback?” Explaining the bizarre criticism surrounding the Chargers star

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The Internet is a cesspool.

You don’t need me to tell you that. But between anonymous accounts sending unsightly DMs, memes that don’t quite land, and a certain nervous Twitter owner, it can get nasty on the net.

Justin Herbert knows all of this. Dejected by a wave of injuries that hit the Chargers’ attack at the start of the season, the Los Angeles gunslinger could not reach the heights of his first two historic seasons.

This drew criticism from a number of talking heads, namely Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho. And while Herbert has since recovered from his slow start and the Bolts are on the verge of a playoff appearance, some whispers remain.

Here’s the skinny on one of Herbert’s new nicknames, a social media quarterback.

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Why is Justin Herbert called a “social media quarterback?”

Herbert is one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the game. That wasn’t enough for Acho, however, who had a program against the Los Angeles quarterback for much of this year.

Acho’s anti-Herbert propaganda seemed to begin in earnest on November 21, the day after Herbert threw a late interception in the Chargers’ 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.

Justin Herbert is a social media quarterback.

If Tua or Hurts had thrown a losing interception (with 2 timeouts), we wouldn’t hear the end of it. pic.twitter.com/Phfisj1ulY

Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 21, 2022

He doubled down on the comments on Twitter after Los Angeles’ duel with Miami was flexed to “Sunday Night Football” for Week 14.

This game is either going to make me (more) insufferable for the rest of my sports television career OR force me to retire from sports television. There is no intermediate solution. #FinsUp https://t.co/SWSJwBAezD

Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 30, 2022

Herbert set the Dolphins defense on fire, completing 39 of 51 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most important (at least for Acho’s diary): Herbert dueled Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailaoa, who completed just 10 passes for 145 yards.

MORE:Justin Herbert lights up Dolphins, wows NFL viewers with impressive throws

The Chargers Twitter made sure to remind Acho of his misstep.

SOCIAL MEDIA QUARTERBACK pic.twitter.com/lgCrRcJ7QL

Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 23, 2022

It seems Acho sees Herbert’s game as a game more conducive to the glittering highlight streaks shared on social media than that of a productive quarterback.

The problem is, Herbert is on a historic streak for NFL pitching. He has more yards in his first three seasons than any other QB in NFL history and scored 30 touchdowns in his first two years.

Herbert and the Bolts are close to making the playoffs. Acho should therefore have much more time to watch the “social media” armed bandit for more time.

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