The Los Angeles Chargers now know Justin Herbert is locked away for good. Additionally they know he’s formally the richest quarterback within the NFL — signing a blockbuster five-year, $262.5 million contract extension first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and the community’s Chargers Insider Lindsey Thiry on Tuesday.
However now comes this: If the Chargers know this can be a transfer they gained’t remorse shifting ahead and in the event that they know the deal got here on the proper time.
Was This the Proper Transfer on the Los Angeles Chargers’ Finish?
When a group has somebody who has thrown for greater than 14,000 passing yards already in his profession, has almost matched NFL Corridor of Famer Dan Marino in a single class, and at last, has guided the Chargers to 9-10 regular-season wins the previous two years, this transfer turns into a no brainer on the Bolts’ finish.
Herbert is already the proprietor of 1 NFL file amongst quarterbacks by way of three seasons within the league whereas additionally nearing a file owned by the Miami Dolphins legend Marino.
By three seasons, Justin Herbert has:⁰🏈14,089 passing yards, most by way of participant’s first three seasons in NFL historical past.⁰🏈94 go TDs, second-most by way of first 3 seasons in NFL historical past (Dan Marino – 98).⁰🏈64 Whole QBR, fourth-best in NFL since his rookie season in 2020.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2023
Since his arrival to the Chargers because the sixth total decide of the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert didn’t take lengthy to determine himself as a pillar of the franchise — particularly within the post-Philip Rivers realm for the Bolts. And his head coach Brandon Staley finally ends up staying true to his phrase that Herbert is the man for the long run.
“I’m assured that Justin Herbert goes to be our quarterback for a very long time and that we’ll ensure that we get an amazing deal accomplished,” Staley stated throughout league conferences again in March.
QB Market Resets Courtesy of Chargers/Justin Herbert
Simply when it regarded like Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson had been those resetting the market, alongside comes Herbert.
Now, Herbert will get $33 million greater than the Baltimore Ravens’ star in assured cash. The Chargers’ QB moreover will earn almost $40 million greater than the assured money the Philadelphia Eagles handed Hurts with their $255 million extension (Hurts has $179 million assured).
Nonetheless to return? Cincinnati Bengals two-time Professional Bowler and 2021 AFC champion Joe Burrow together with his pending deal. Now, Cincy should discover a option to high what the Chargers are giving Burrow’s fellow 2020 draft classmate.
But, with Herbert now incomes $52.5 million yearly and receiving $218 million assured, this now raises the subsequent burning query. Can they pay and maintain Herbert’s weapons collectively?
One Playmaker Already Going through Excessive Likelihood of Leaving in 2024
Probably, Herbert’s deal comes at this expense: Austin Ekeler and the group not reaching an extension this offseason.
The versatile working again, who caught 107 of Herbert’s passes to guide the Chargers in 2022, is already dealing with the excessive chance that this season can be his final with the group. By not reaching a brand new deal, Ekeler can change into an unrestricted free agent for 2024.
His standing was part of the broadly debated subject amongst working backs’ contract futures through the week of July 17 — with the added report of Ekeler forming a personal line of communication amongst different league backs to debate the monetary dilemma of the place.
However it’s not simply Ekeler who’s dealing with the sundown of his Chargers profession. The longtime face of the WR unit, Keenan Allen, is nearing the tip of his four-year, $80 million deal and might be eligible for a possible opt-out for 2024. Even Mike Williams has an analogous 2024 choice on his present three-year, $60 million deal.
Given the drafting of Quentin Johnston within the first spherical of the 2023 draft, maybe it’s the TCU star who finally will get groomed as WR1 instantly for Herbert.
With what they’re now paying Herbert, the Chargers could should construct by way of the draft starting in 2024 to search out the eventual successor to Ekeler whereas additionally including extra targets for the QB.
Nonetheless, by locking in Herbert on the eve of coaching camp, Los Angeles made a pivotal transfer to make sure they gained’t have to fret in regards to the QB place for a very long time. And it now means Herbert can construct his rapport with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in Costa Mesa, who beforehand coached a previous Professional Bowler in Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys.
Nonetheless, the transfer moreover resets the QB market as soon as extra — and places the Chargers in a rising future expertise place reset to construct round Herbert for the subsequent 5 years.
It’s an aggressive “all-in” tactic on the Bolts’ finish. However alongside together with his new yearly wage, the expectations to supply extra postseason and division title runs simply elevated for Herbert and the Chargers.
