Kansas City Still Best Of AFC West, But Justin Herbert Doesn't Fear Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs may be the reigning kings of the NFL, having now won the last two Super Bowls and three of the last four, but that doesn't mean that new Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh or his quarterback Justin Herbert aren't hoping to snag their crown very soon.
Speaking on a new episode of Bleav In Chargers with hosts Lorenzo Neal, a former Bolts fullback, and current play-by-play analyst Matt "Money" Smith, one-time San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf spoke at length about how he felt that, though the Chiefs probably still have the number of not just his old team but also the entire division, at least one key LA presence isn't scared of Kansas City's best player, Patrick Mahomes.
"...There's nothing I've seen in Los Angeles, in Las Vegas or in Denver that's going to change that dynamic [of Kansas City being the best team in the division] next year. Now, someone can surprise you, right? Someone could do something really, really different."
"And in my case, and I'm assuming in your guys' case, you hope it's the Los Angeles Chargers with Jim Harbaugh on his first year," he continues. "That's what that's what you're hoping. I know Justin has no fear going into Arrowhead. That's a rare thing to have. He has zero fear going into Arrowhead and battling Patrick Mahomes. When you've got a quarterback that's capable of doing that, that gives you a shot, that gives you a chance."
Under former head coach Brandon Staley (and, for four games, former interim head coach Giff Smith), Los Angeles finished with a paltry 5-12 record, a season removed from a Wild Card playoff berth. Injuries to key offensive contributors may have played a factor, but the arrival of Harbaugh on the sidelines and new general manager Joe Hortiz in the front office will hopefully improve the on-field product mightily this fall.
Harbaugh could be the one to truly unlock the ultimate potential in Herbert, who can then lead the team back to the playoffs—and presumably to the Super Bowl.
