Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert is due for a massive extension.
The Chargers coaches, teammates and fans all love Herbert. This begs the question of when is general manager Tom Telesco going to come to an agreement with Herbert to keep him in LA for the foreseeable future?
Comparing Herbert to the Big Four
The 2020 draft class gave the league four of the best QBs in Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, and of course Herbert. Hurts broke the bank first of the four QBs, earning an extension of $255 million with $110 million fully guaranteed.
Tua, Burrow and Herbert all had their 5th year options picked up to give the franchises more time to negotiate with them. Tua is more of a question mark of the three left for extensions.
Herbert and Burrow both are getting $29.5 million in this upcoming season, which is a hint of things to come for both in a large pay day.
Possible Time Frame
The most likely time limit for the Chargers getting a deal done with Herbert is from any day in the off season to right before franchise rages are given in February.
Lamar Jackson was an example of a team waiting til the absolute last minute to get an extension done. The Ravens went all the way into free agency in May when they officially signed Jackson.
However, Josh Allen and the Bills had an agreement on a 5th year option, but just a few months later came to a long term extension.
Quote From Coach Staley
When head coach Brandon Staley was asked about the contract situation of Herbert in March, he responded by saying this.
“I think we’re at the beginning of all of that, But we all know how we feel about him, and I think navigating this process, we have a very good relationship with his team, and I’m confident that Justin Herbert is going to be our quarterback for a long time.”
Staley has made it clear as day that they love Herbert and want to keep him for as long as possible. It is the business side of the extension that still is in the works.
The Money Dilemma
Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both reworked their contract recently. This gave the Chargers room to add some free agents this off-season. However, next year’s cap situation is a bit more tricky.
Allen and Williams took a big pay cut this year, giving the Chargers a combined $14.4 million this off-season. Next year the two wide receivers are owed a combined $60 million while the Chargers as of now are also -$60 million over the team’s salary cap.
These salary issues are a major concern for getting a deal done with Herbert that could prolong the process. Herbert would not be happy if he lost his favorite 3rd down target in Allen if they have to cut him.
The New Orleans Saints are the masters when it comes to being over the cap. They consistently are over by a wide margin but manage to go under the cap and sign new players. The 2024 Chargers will have to do the same while keeping in mind a $50 million or more annual contract for young superstar QB Herbert.
Stay tuned for more breaking NFL content, including midseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of Chargers.com
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