The Los Angeles Chargers and their quarterback, Justin Herbert, have reached an agreement on a monumental long-term extension, making Herbert the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by average salary. The news was reported on Tuesday by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
A Landmark Deal for the Chargers’ Star Quarterback
The deal, a five-year extension worth $262.5 million, narrowly eclipses the contract Lamar Jackson signed with the Ravens in April, both in terms of total value and average annual salary. This new agreement will keep Herbert at the helm of the Chargers’ offense through the 2029 NFL season, a commitment that the team was quick to announce.
The contract includes a staggering $218.7 million in guarantees, a testament to the Chargers’ faith in Herbert’s abilities and potential. Prior to this extension, Herbert had two years remaining on his rookie contract, which was set to pay him approximately $8.5 million this season and $29.5 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option.
Herbert’s Stellar Performance and Impact on the League
Herbert, 25, has proven himself to be a valuable asset since being selected sixth overall by the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has started 49 out of a possible 50 games, amassing 14,089 passing yards, 94 touchdowns, and just 35 interceptions. Additionally, Herbert has showcased his versatility with 683 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns over his three seasons.
With Herbert under center, the Chargers have posted a 25-24 record, including a playoff appearance last season. Despite a heartbreaking 31-30 wild-card loss to the Jaguars, in which the Chargers squandered a 27-0 lead, Herbert’s performance has remained consistently impressive.
This record-breaking contract is likely to have significant implications across the NFL. It sets a new benchmark for negotiations with other young quarterbacks, particularly Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, who was part of Herbert’s 2020 NFL Draft class. Given the precedent set by Herbert’s deal, it wouldn’t be surprising if Burrow’s eventual contract surpasses these figures, further reshaping the financial landscape of the league.
