Justin Herbert delivers clear message of respect for the Chiefs as Chargers’ season opener in Brazil approaches
Quarterback knows his life won’t be easy on Friday night.
SÃO PAULO — The Los Angeles Chargers know what they will have to overcome to start their regular season with a win in Brazil. The most recent Chargers win over their AFC West rivals came in 2021, Justin Herbert’s second year in the NFL. Since then, the Chiefs have won seven consecutive games.
Right before practice in São Paulo on Wednesday, Herbert admitted: The Chiefs are a great team who deserves tons of respect.
“They’re a very good team. We’ve got so much respect for them as opponents,” Herbert said. “They’ve had so much success in the NFL for years, and it’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and test ourselves. We’ve put in a lot of good work in the offseason and through camp, so we’re just looking forward to going out there and having a great experience.”
To beat the best, the Chargers know they have to be at the top of their own game. Even then, especially after losing left tackle Rashawn Slater to a patellar tendon injury, it’s a hard proposition.
“We have to be at our best if we’re going to compete with them, and we know how good they are and how well they play,” Herbert added. “For us, it’s about having a great week of practice, which we’ve done so far, going out there and executing, and doing everything we can on Friday.”
New experience in Brazil
It’s the first time Justin Herbert travels to South America. It’s a business trip, but the quarterback is excited about helping expand the sport’s popularity and the NFL brand in another country.
“I’d only ever heard good things about the place, and obviously I love to travel. This is my first time in South America, and I think it’s been really cool so far,” Herbert said. “We got in pretty early this morning, and to be able to come see the place, experience the culture, and get a feel for it, I’m really excited for it.”
The Chiefs and Chargers play in Brazil next Friday, at 7 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. Brazilian time. The game will be the first one ever streamed live and free to the entire world on YouTube.
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