Chargers' Justin Herbert drawing ire for interview handling with ESPN's Laura Rutledge

Billy Heyen

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Chargers' Justin Herbert drawing ire for interview handling with ESPN's Laura Rutledge image

It was one of the odder endings to an ESPN Monday Night Football broadcast that you'll see.

Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who had just led his team to a huge overtime win, wanted nothing to do with the customary on-field, postgame interview with sideline reporter Laura Rutledge.

Rutledge had to run Herbert down, and he hit her with, "I just want to celebrate with my teammates." She asked once again, and Herbert stopped quickly before racing through a few short answers and moving on.

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It was just very bizarre, and Herbert is getting some heat for the interaction on social media on Tuesday.

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It's hard to know what else might be at play here, if there's ever been a negative interaction in a situation like this for Herbert in the past that has informed his behavior here.

But as that post from X suggests, this is how it goes. Quarterbacks quickly get used to always being asked the questions. Franchise QBs don't get to stay out of the spotlight, for better or for worse.

On this night, Herbert played through a broken bone in his left hand, ran all over the field despite the injury and found a way to get the Chargers to 9-4 on the season, a crucial victory.

It's fair to want to celebrate, but he also could've shown a tad more grace in this moment with Rutledge, too.

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Senior Editor