Chargers reward Herbert with megadeal worth reported $262.5M for 5 years
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with star quarterback Justin Herbert on a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday,
Los Angeles didn't reveal the terms of the deal, but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that it's a record five-year, $262.5-million pact. The agreement could reportedly include up to $218.7 million in guarantees and contains a no-trade clause, Schefter adds.
Herbert will earn $100 million in Year 1, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal - which will reportedly sign Herbert through the 2029 season - includes an average annual salary of $52.5 million, the highest in NFL history.
The 25-year-old is the fourth quarterback ever to top $50 million per year, along with Lamar Jackson ($52 million), Jalen Hurts ($51 million), and Aaron Rodgers ($50.27 million), according to Spotrac. Jackson and Hurts also signed their respective megadeals this year.
Herbert has put on a show since being drafted sixth overall in 2020. The Oregon product has passed for 14,089 yards - the most through a quarterback's first three seasons - and 94 touchdowns in 49 career starts. He's 25-24 as the top passer.
Herbert, who also has a Pro Bowl berth and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award on his NFL resume, posted a career-high 68.2% completion rate in 2022 while tossing 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
The Chargers reached the playoffs for the first time with Herbert last season but infamously imploded in the wild-card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Los Angeles suffered the third-largest comeback in NFL postseason history, losing to Jacksonville 31-30 despite leading 27-0 late in the first half.
Los Angeles is aggressively building around Herbert and made big moves in the last two seasons. The team hired offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and used a 2023 first-round pick on wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
Herbert is considered one of football's best young passers. That list also includes Joe Burrow, who's been negotiating a new deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. That extension will presumably also reset the hot QB market.