Chargers’ Justin Herbert drawing ire for interview handling with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.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.MORE: Jalen Hurts made the worst play in fantasy football historyIt was just very bizarre, and Herbert is getting some heat for the interaction on social media on Tuesday.I’m sorry I thought Justin Herbert was extremely rude to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge.You know the drill dude, you’re the QB. Big win for the Chargers, gut wrenching loss for the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/BlPrvTfqak— Alec Nolan (@AlecOnFOX7) December 9, 2025MORE: How the 6-7 meme sums up the Chiefs’ season perfectlyIt’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.More news:Texas Tech commit breaks 72-year old TX HS football rushing recordThe Raiders with one of the worst bad beats you’ll ever seeChet Holmgren shows the proper respect to Red PandaNotre Dame rushed for more yards in the SEC title game than AlabamaCommanders pulled an RG3 on Jayden DanielsHow the Buffalo Bills at home in the snow in December are an unbreakable streak