Justin Herbert's future Chargers extension should cross historic threshold
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers are in the best situation that an NFL team can be in. The Bolts have an elite quarterback who is undoubtedly one of the best in the league and they get to pay him on his rookie contract.
This creates an advantage for the Bolts, who have more money to surround Justin Herbert with talent before they have to pay him on a new deal. The team has taken advantage of this situation with an aggressive offseason that may have propelled the team into legitimate contender status.
That extension will eventually happen for Justin Herbert and with Herbert entering his third season, it is not that far down the line. This does not seem to concern Herbert, though. Herbert sat down with Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports and discussed how he feels about the extension that will eventually come down the pipeline.
"We haven't discussed anything but I've been so fortunate to play for the Chargers. Whatever happens, happens. I'm just so excited to be here and play football. This has been a great opportunity and I don't wish it went any other way. I love that I was drafted here and that I have been able to play here. I think we're doing all the right things. I believe in the staff, all the teammates, the front office. So all I can do is hope for the best. It's out of my control, but I'll keep playing football."
Justin Herbert has mentioned time and time again how much he just loves the game of football and the Chargers definitely should be grateful for his mindset towards the game. After all, that is what makes him such an elite quarterback.
That being said, the Chargers should absolutely not take advantage of Herbert's love for the game. If Herbert explicitly is willing to take a pay cut similar to Tom Brady to help build the roster that is one thing. However, if not, the Chargers should be willing to open the checkbook for Herbert.
Justin Herbert's future extension with the LA Chargers should cross a historic milestone.
Patrick Mahomes has the largest contract in American sports history that checks in at just under $500 million with the potential to cross the $500 million mark with incentives. Mahomes set the market for elite quarterbacks.
Josh Allen signed his extension after Mahomes and he did not come anywhere close to Mahomes' number. Allen's deal was shorter, coming in at six years for $258 million.
Justin Herbert definitely should be in the same ballpark as Mahomes and should cross the threshold that Mahomes was not able to cross. While Mahomes can earn $503 million with every single incentive, he is not guaranteed to be the NFL's first half-a-billion dollar player.
Justin Herbert should be. If we think Herbert is at the same level as Mahomes then he should be paid that way. The NFL salary cap continues to climb and with his deal coming 3-4 years after Mahomes', Herbert should definitely earn more.
Justin Herbert should become the first American athlete to get a contract that is over half-a-billion dollars, without incentives. While the entire contract won't be guaranteed, it will essentially be guaranteed as long as Herbert makes the roster... which he obviously will.
Sure, this is a lot of money to pay someone but if the Chargers are locking Herbert down for the rest of his career then it should be for this big of a number.
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Herbert just barely turned 24 in March and if the team signs him at 25 or 26 then they can sign him to an 11 or 12-year deal. That should absolutely cross $500 million.