Gale Gilbert

Herbert's trajectory couldn't be more different from Gilbert's. Herbert arrived as a franchise cornerstone with elite arm talent and immediately became the Chargers' future; Gilbert was a journeyman backup who threw 1,544 career yards across three teams. Herbert's already accumulating Pro Bowl seasons while Gilbert never started consistently enough to establish a legacy. It's less comparison than contrast—one's building a Hall of Fame resume, the other was organizational depth.

No, Gilbert never made Canton. With just 1,544 passing yards and a 66.2 career rating across six seasons, he lacked the volume and consistency Hall of Fame voters demand. He was a capable backup—solid enough to stick around—but never a difference-maker. The Hall's a meritocracy, and Gilbert's résumé simply doesn't clear the bar.

The search results don't contain information about Gilbert's current activities in 2026, so I can't speak to what he's doing now—whether he's in broadcasting, business, or coaching. His playing days ended in 1995, but his post-football path isn't covered in available sources.

Modern passing rules would help Gilbert's completion percentage but wouldn't fundamentally change his profile. His 66.2 career rating reflects limited arm talent and decision-making, not just era. Today's offenses demand faster processing and precision; Gilbert would likely remain a reliable backup rather than suddenly become a starter. The rules evolve, but talent gaps don't vanish.

Fouts absolutely dwarfs Gilbert in every meaningful way. Fouts' 36.6 rating versus Gilbert's 7.38 tells the whole story—one's a franchise icon with 33,000+ yards, the other's a bit player with 1,544. Fouts defined Chargers football in the '70s and '80s; Gilbert was organizational filler. Not even close.