The Chargers broke the bank for their franchise QB, giving Justin Herbert a monster contract extension that keeps him in Los Angeles until at least 2029.
Justin Herbert won’t be causing any drama at Los Angeles Chargers training camp. But he might be footing the bill for a dinner or several.
On Tuesday, the day before the start of Chargers training camp, LA agreed to a record-setting contract extension with Justin Herbert that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL and keep the 25-year-old in Los Angeles until the 2029 season.
The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Lindsey Thiry.
Justin Herbert contract details: Guaranteed money on Chargers QB’s new deal
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chargers have locked up Herbert on a five-year, $262.5 million contract. The NFL insider later added that $133.7 million of the deal is fully guaranteed with the injury guarantees vaulting to $193.7 million. He also added that the contract could be worth up to $218.7 million in guaranteed money, though the stipulations for that happening were not stated in the reporting.
Sources: Justin Herbert’s five-year extension includes $133.7 million fully guaranteed, $193.7 million with the injury guarantee and springing potentially to $218.7 million guaranteed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2023
Chargers lock up Justin Herbert to monster contract: Best memes and tweets
Chargers fans and NFL Twitter at large had a field day in reaction to the organization going all in on Justin Herbert with this new contract.
he’s a keeper.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 25, 2023
we’ve agreed to terms with justin herbert on a multi-year extension » https://t.co/sVHUhdxOLJ pic.twitter.com/jhoothVuAN
Justin Herbert is now the highest-paid QB in NFL hisotry in terms of new money average annual value at $52.5M per season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 25, 2023
He becomes the third QB just this offseason (Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson) to become the highest-paid QB ever. https://t.co/MLRf5YWsXr
With the 5 extension years added to the two remaining years on his contract, the Chargers just locked up Herbert for 7 years.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) July 25, 2023
At any number, that is a bargain for the team.
Removing him from free agency for the prime of his career.
Justin Herbert watching Jaylen Brown get a bag this morning. 😭pic.twitter.com/FaTukv34AL
— theScore (@theScore) July 25, 2023
Herbert when Austin Ekeler walks into the offensive meeting room pic.twitter.com/C5fvWdDpXP
— luke (@ColdWunz) July 25, 2023
$218M in total guarantees for Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/f9xGkwPVLe
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) July 25, 2023
BOOM!! JUSTIN HERBERT IS LOCKED IN FOR THE LONG TERM 🤑🤑 https://t.co/kIjNoIY9MY
— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) July 25, 2023
Joe Burrow looking at Justin Herbert's new extension: pic.twitter.com/i2hoCKziko
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) July 25, 2023
Patrick Mahomes is in a tier of his own (that contract looks better every day)
— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) July 25, 2023
But Justin Herbert is absolutely in that next tier of QB's and gets a very well deserved MASSIVE extension https://t.co/vbNgvUn0hx
With Herbert now locked up, the next domino to fall, as mentioned by at least on Twitter user (among hundreds of others) will be Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals. The two quarterbacks were reportedly waiting on one another to sign, but the Chargers have now ended that stalemate.
For LA, though, this was a no-brainer. Herbert is now locked up for at least the next seven seasons with the Bolts and, with the way he’s emerged as one of the NFL’s best at the most important position on the field, paying him as the top-paid player in the league made complete sense in the current market.
Of course, his status as the highest-paid player in the NFL is likely only to last until Burrow signs his deal — but the Chargers and their fans can bathe in the glory of locking up Herbert on the current record-setting deal until that happens.