Chargers, QB Justin Herbert agree to 5-year extension worth $262.5 million, AP source says #Chargers #Justin #Herbert #agree #5year #extension #worth #million #source

Justin Herbert is set to become the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback by annual salary, agreeing to a five-year, $262.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday.

The extension came as the Chargers reported for training camp earlier in the day. Their first practice will be Wednesday.

Herbert’s total value and $52.5 million average per season surpasses the $260 million, five-year extension ($52 million average) Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson signed three months ago, a person close to the negotiations told The Associated Press.

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs a drill during the NFL football team's camp Monday, May 22, 2023, in Costa Mesa, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, FIle)

The two biggest storylines for the Los Angeles Chargers going into training camp aren’t confined to the field.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs a drill during NFL football practice in Costa Mesa, Calif., Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Justin Herbert hopes he doesn’t have to answer questions about a contract extension much longer. However, the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback did hint that missing practices is a possibility if a deal isn’t reached by the start of training camp.

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looks to throw a pass during the team's NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 1, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Herbert is more concerned about rehabbing his left shoulder than a contract extension. Herbert said during the team's draft party Thursday, April 27, that he is hoping to be on the field for the team's organized practices in less than a month. Herbert had surgery to repair the torn labrum on his non-throwing shoulder in late January after being injured in a Jan. 1 game. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers exercised their fifth-year option on Justin Herbert on Friday as they work toward signing their franchise quarterback to a long-term deal.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Justin Herbert says he’s more concerned about rehabbing his left shoulder than a contract extension.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Chargers did not release the financial details.

Herbert is the second member of the 2020 class to sign a lucrative extension, after Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts signed a five-year extension worth $255 million.

Herbert’s contract also sets the playing field for the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow. Bengals owner Mike Brown on Monday said that talks remain ongoing.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is in the third year of a 10-year contract worth $450 million.

The 25-year-old Herbert — the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft — is the first quarterback in NFL history to begin his career with three consecutive seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards and is one of two players to throw 25 touchdowns in each of their first three years.

Since entering the league, Herbert is second in the league in completions (1,316), third in passing yards (14,089) and sixth in TD passes (102).

Despite Herbert’s numbers as one of the league’s top passers, it still hasn’t pushed the Chargers into the echelon of Super Bowl contenders. Los Angeles is 25-25 including the playoffs with Herbert under center.

Last season the Chargers reached the postseason for the first time since 2018 with a 10-7 record. They had a disappointing ending to their season after they blew a 27-point, first-half lead and lost to Jacksonville 31-30 in the first round of the playoffs.

Herbert was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract and had a base salary of $4.2 million for the upcoming season. The Chargers picked up his fifth-year option for 2024 worth $29.5 million.