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Chargers, Herbert open contract negotiations

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Los Angeles Chargers entered negotiations regarding a long-term contract extension with quarterback Justin Herbert and are "confident" of completing a deal, head coach Brandon Staley said Tuesday.

"We're at the beginning of all that but all know how we feel about him," Staley said, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.

The coach added: "Navigating this process, we have a very good relationship with his team. 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."

Staley refused to say whether he'd like to have a deal signed before training camp in July.

"(We've got to) just be patient," he said. "But the major takeaway is that Justin Herbert is going to be our quarterback, and we're so excited that he is leading our franchise."

Herbert became eligible to negotiate a new deal this offseason. The 2020 first-round pick is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is set to earn $4.23 million in 2023. The Chargers are expected to exercise the fifth-year option on his deal before the May 1 deadline.

The 25-year-old will likely become one of the NFL's highest-paid players ever and earn a deal with an average annual salary north of $50 million. He's taken the NFL by storm since being drafted sixth overall, posting a 66.9% completion rate with 94 touchdowns and 14,089 passing yards, the most through any quarterback's first three seasons.

The Oregon product isn't the only superstar set to reset the QB market. Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are also eligible to sign extensions, while Lamar Jackson hasn't agreed to terms on a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Aaron Rodgers leads the position with a $50-million average annual salary.

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