The Los Angeles Chargers have a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, who is coming off a sensational rookie season that earned him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Herbert threw for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, breaking several rookie records along the way.
But with great performance comes great expectations, and also great financial implications. Herbert is still on his rookie contract, which pays him an average of $6.6 million per year through 2023.
Source: bloximages
However, he will be eligible for an extension after the 2022 season, and that’s when things could get interesting.
How much will the Chargers pay Herbert to keep him in LA for the long term? Will they follow the recent trend of mega-deals for young quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson? Or will they try to find a more team-friendly structure that allows them to build around their star signal-caller?.
According to general manager Tom Telesco, there is no clear answer to these questions. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Telesco said that he doesn’t look at other QB contracts as a blueprint for Herbert’s future deal.
“I don’t think there’s any one contract that you can point to and say, ‘That’s the one we’re going to follow,'” Telesco said. “Every situation is different.
Every player is different. Every team is different. So I don’t think there’s any one contract out there that you can say, ‘That’s the model we’re going to use.'”.
Telesco added that he is not worried about Herbert’s contract situation right now, as he is focused on the present and the upcoming season. He also praised Herbert’s work ethic and leadership, saying that he has “all the traits you want in a franchise quarterback.”.
“He’s everything we thought he would be and more,” Telesco said. “He’s a special player and a special person.”.
Herbert, for his part, has also expressed his love for the Chargers and his desire to stay with the team. He said that he trusts Telesco and head coach Brandon Staley to make the best decisions for the organization.
“I’m very fortunate to be a part of this team,” Herbert said. “I love it here. I love the guys in the locker room. I love the coaches. I love the city.
So whatever they decide to do, I know it’s going to be in the best interest of the team.”.
Final Thoughts: Chargers GM Tom Telesco is Taking a Unique Approach to Justin Herbert’s Future Contract
The Los Angeles Chargers have a star quarterback in Justin Herbert who has quickly become a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone. With his rookie contract set to expire in the near future, many are wondering what kind of extension Herbert will receive and how it will compare to the recent massive deals for young quarterbacks.
However, Chargers GM Tom Telesco has taken a unique approach to Herbert’s future contract, saying that he doesn’t see any one contract as a blueprint for the deal.
Telesco emphasized that every situation is different, and that the team will approach Herbert’s contract negotiations on a case-by-case basis. This approach shows a level of flexibility and adaptability that could benefit both the team and the player in the long run.
As the Chargers prepare for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see how Herbert continues to develop and how the team approaches his future contract negotiations.
