Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert joins fellow 2020 NFL Draft classmates in that of Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts in being eligible for an extension this offseason.
At this point, it does indeed look like all three will get massive contracts before Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season comes calling.
As for Herbert, the Chargers are making it clear that their franchise quarterback will be suiting up in Southern California over the long haul. Head coach Brandon Staley also broke some news this week from the NFL owners meetings in Arizona, indicating that the Chargers and Herbert have already discussed an extension.
“Navigating this process, we have a very good relationship with his team,” Staley said, via ESPN.com. “I’m confident that Justin Herbert is going to be our quarterback for a long time and that we’ll make sure that we get a deal done.”
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 25-year-old Herbert has morphed into one of the best young quarterbacks in the game.
- Justin Herbert stats (2022): 68.2% completion, 4,739 yards, 25 TD, 10 INT, 93.2 QB rating
Despite a down 2022 season by his standards, Herbert has more than proven himself capable of being a franchise guy. After all, the Oregon product has tallied 102 total touchdowns compared to 35 interceptions in three seasons.
Related: Justin Herbert and the top NFL QBs of 2023
What a Justin Herbert contract extension will look like
As the quarterback market around the NFL resets on a never-ending loop, it’s going to be all about who lands the next massive contract. Said player will set the market for the guys to follow.
Right now, Herbert joins the aforementioned Burrow and Hurts in being in line for extensions. Franchise-tagged Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is also seeking a long-term deal after requesting a trade from the organization.
Assuming Herbert is the first to sign an extension (not a foregone conclusion), roughly $50 million annually should be seen as the going rate. Though, it will also be all about fully guaranteed cash after Deshaun Watson set the mark with $230 million.
As we’re seeing with Jackson and Baltimore right now, teams are not willing to hand out fully guaranteed deals. In short, Watson’s contract with the Cleveland Browns is an outlier. With that said, something to the tune of $140 million fully guaranteed should be in the cards.
Projected Justin Herbert contract extension: 5 years, $250 million with $140 million fully guaranteed
At this point, it’s just a matter of time before something gets done on this front. Herbert is the Chargers’ franchise quarterback. He wants to get a deal done. Los Angeles is hellbent on making it happen this offseason.