Justin Herbert will become the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback after agreeing to a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday.
Chargers camp got underway on Tuesday and the first practice was scheduled for Wednesday.
The $52.5 million per season and total contract value surpasses the $260 million over five years (average of $52 million) given to Lamar Jackson by the Baltimore Ravens three months ago.
Details of the contract were disclosed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the matter. She spoke on condition of anonymity since the Chargers did not immediately confirm the news.
Herbert is the second member of the 2020 class to sign a lucrative contract extension, following Jalen Hurts, who signed a five-year, $255 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Herbert’s contract also sets the stage for Joe Burrow, who wants a long-term deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs is in the third year of a 10-year, $450 million contract.
Herbert, 25, was selected sixth overall in the 2020 Draft. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to start his career with three straight campaigns of at least 4,000 passing yards. .
Since his NFL debut, Herbert ranks second in completions (1,316), third in passing yards (14,089) and sixth in passing touchdowns (102).
