Former Washington Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera has no regrets over what he decided to do at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft. Washington was drafting second overall that year and took Defensive End Chase Young out of Ohio State University. The Los Angeles Chargers ended up drafting franchise Quarterback Justin Herbert with the fifth overall pick.
Neither team has experienced great success in the four years since, but the Chargers seemingly have their franchise cornerstone for years to come, while Young is on his third NFL team in five seasons.
How would each team have seen their fortunes change if the Washington Commanders had drafted Herbert four years ago?
Rivera’s Tenure In Washington
NEWS: Former #Commanders GM/HC Ron Rivera says he has NO REGRETS about drafting Chase Young over superstar QB Justin Herbert.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 2, 2024
Rivera was fired by the Washington Commanders following a disappointing 2023 season where the team went 4-13. He had a rough tenure in the “Nation’s Capital” as he went 26-40-1 during his four years at the helm. His lone playoff appearance with Washington came during the 2020 season. Rivera was succeeded as Washington Commanders Head Coach by Dan Quinn. Quinn will look to turn things around in Washington beginning in 2024.
Why Did The Washington Commanders Not Draft Justin Herbert?
As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20, and that adage can be applied to looking back at the 2020 NFL Draft. The Commanders had drafted the late Dwayne Haskins in 2019 out of Ohio State University with the 15th overall pick. He showed flashes in his rookie campaign and the team wanted to give what they hoped to be their franchise quarterback more of a chance to succeed.
Unfortunately, things did not pan out for Haskins in Washington. Young, Haskins former Buckeye teammate had a standout college career. He was named a unanimous All-American in his final year of college and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. Young grew up in the state of Maryland and the homecoming story, along with standout collegiate career, was too strong to pass up.
Young was traded away to the San Francisco 49ers in November of 2023 after a disappointing four seasons with the team. Young signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason and has 100 career tackles and 16.5 career sacks. He will look to get his career back on track with a Saints team that enters 2024 with lofty expectations.
Justin Herbert Looks To Find His Footing In Los Angeles
Herbert has yet to reach his full potential with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has a career record of 30-32 and missed the final four games of the 2023 season after fracturing his finger. He has yet to win an NFL Playoff game and has 114 career touchdowns and only 42 interceptions. Herbert will look to blossom under the tutelage of new Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was hired away from the University of Michigan following the 2023 NFL season. One of the main reasons Harbaugh returned to the NFL was to work hand-in-hand with a player of Herbert’s quality. Even with an offseason full of salary cap casualties, Los Angeles is in good hands with the duo of Herbert and Harbaugh at the helm.
It is impossible to know how the Washington Commanders would have fared if they drafted Herbert instead of Young. But one thing is for certain, the Los Angeles Chargers are thankful the Washington Commanders made that decision four years ago.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports
