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Herbert breaks Mayfield's rookie passing TD record

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke an NFL rookie passing record Sunday.

Herbert threw his 28th passing touchdown of the season to Austin Ekeler in the second quarter of a 19-16 win over the Denver Broncos, breaking Cleveland Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield's record of 27 set in 2018.

The sixth overall pick out of Oregon entered Week 16 with 27 touchdown passes after throwing two against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.

Herbert also surpassed 4,000 passing yards this season after completing 21 of 33 attempts for 253 yards against the Broncos. He's just the fourth player to notch that mark as a rookie, joining Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston.

The 22-year-old also joins Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the only signal-callers to reach 4,000 passing yards through their first 14 NFL starts.

Herbert has posted a 5-9 record since taking over the Chargers' starting job in Week 2.

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