Justin Herbert, the star quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers, has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the team. The new five-year extension is estimated to be around $262.5 million, according to ESPN, making Herbert the highest paid player in the NFL.
Herbert’s new deal surpasses those of Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Jalen Hurts of the Eagles, who held the title of highest paid player in the league only a few weeks ago.
Herbert, 25, has played 44 games for the Chargers since being drafted out of the University of Oregon with the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a Pro Bowl starter for the AFC squad in 2022. Herbert holds several franchise and league records and led the Chargers back to the NFL Playoffs last season for the first time since 2018.
ESPN reports that Herbert’s new deal includes $133.7 million fully guaranteed, with the potential to reach $218.7 million guaranteed.
This contract development indicates a recent trend in the “resetting” of the quarterback market as the next generation of high-profile quarterbacks become eligible for new contracts. Soon, the title of “highest-paid player in the NFL” is expected to change hands again, as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is also likely to receive a new deal in the near future.
As personal injury bloggers, we often discuss contract negotiations and related legal matters in professional sports. This record-breaking deal highlights the enormous financial stakes at play in the NFL and the significant commitment teams make to secure top-tier talent.