Why is Justin Herbert called a ‘social media quarterback?’ Explaining bizarre criticism surrounding Chargers star

The internet is a pit.

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

Justin Herbert knows all about that. Battered by a flurry of injuries that hit the Chargers offense at the start of the season, the Los Angeles gunslinger couldn’t quite reach the heights of his historic first two seasons.

This drew criticism from a number of talking heads, namely Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho. And while Herbert has since rebounded from his slow start — and has the Bolts on the brink of a playoff push — there are still some grumbles.

Here’s the skinny on one of Herbert’s newest monikers — a social media quarterback.

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Why is Justin Herbert called a ‘social media quarterback’?

Herbert is one of the game’s most exciting backs. However, it wasn’t enough for Acho, who has held an agenda against the Los Angeles quarterback for much of this year.

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

Justin Herbert is a social media Quarterback.

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

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) 21 November 2022

He doubled down on the comments on Twitter after Los Angeles’ matchup with Miami aired on “Sunday Night Football” for Week 14.

This game will either make me (more) unbearable for the rest of my sports television career, OR force me to retire from sports TV. There is no in between. #FinsUp https://t.co/SWSJwBAezD

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) 30 November 2022

Herbert continued to spark the Dolphins’ defense, completing 39-of-51 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most important (at least for Acho’s agenda): Herbert outplayed Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailaoa, who completed just 10 passes for 145 yards.

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

Chargers’ Twitter made sure to remind Acho of his faux pas.

SOCIAL MEDIA QUARTER BAKE pic.twitter.com/lgCrRcJ7QL

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 23, 2022

Acho appears to view Herbert’s game as one more conducive to flashy highlight tapes shared on social media than that of a prolific quarterback.

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

Herbert and the Bolts are on the brink of a playoff run. So Acho should get a lot more time to watch the “social media” gunslinger for extra time.