LOS ANGELES — Justin Herbert is most likely next in line to get a contract extension. He was the third quarterback drafted in the 2020 draft class.
Only Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles has signed an extension from that class. The dominoes are starting to fall into place for the next generation of quarterbacks to be paid.
Besides Hurts, the lingering contract extension between Baltimore and quarterback Lamar Jackson was signed Monday morning. Both making over $50 million a year.
“I think those two are incredible athletes,” Herbert said about Jackson and Hurts. “So, they’re great quarterbacks and obviously great leaders. So, they’re very deserving of that.”
It feels like Herbert may be next.
“I think my job now my focus is to be the best quarterback that I can be and to rehab my shoulder and make sure that I can be back for these OTAs and to do everything I can in the building,” Herbert said. “But as far as that’s concerned, I wish I could give you a better answer.”
Herbert said he will let his agents take care of that as he focused on rehabbing his left shoulder he hurt in week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams and had surgery on after their playoff exit. He said he fell on it, and it felt awkward.
“It didn’t feel great. It was kind of discomfort, and I used the tape to kind of hold it in place,” Herbert said.
He hasn’t been able to golf as much because he is rehabbing, but he told the Chargers fans huddled at Century City Mall that he will be ready by training camp. As far as his extension, he isn’t really talking much about it.
“I’ve got complete faith in the Chargers organization and the front office,” Herbert said. “They’ve done such a great job taking care of us as players, and I’ve loved being a part of this team being part of this organization.”
“No update” was a unified message that head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco gave during their press conferences.
It will be interesting to see when this gets done, but teammate Derwin James said he will be happy when it gets done. This is the quarterback getting paid era, even if Herbert’s focused on other things.
“I’d say within the coming weeks of being able to throw a little bit, I think it’s getting closer to 75%. I’d like it to be a little bit higher, but we’re working. They’re still processing,” Herbert said.
