Will the Chargers Extend Justin Herbert? Fantasy Football Outlook

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is set to begin his fourth season in the NFL in 2023, so he could be in line for a contract extension soon. The 25-year-old trigger-man from Oregon has been a star for the Bolts since his rookie season and common sense should tell us the team wants to keep him around for the foreseeable future.

In an era with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen in the AFC, having an elite quarterback with off-the-charts physical tools has never been more important. Herbert clearly has that ceiling.

How has Herbert played thus far in his career and will the Chargers extend his contract? Let's dive in.

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Justin Herbert Career Review

As the 6th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert broke the record for passing touchdowns for a rookie quarterback with 31. He also threw for the second-most yards among rookies all time (4,336), finishing only behind Andrew Luck from 2012 (4,374). He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, setting himself up for sky-high expectations moving forward.

In year two, Herbert threw for 5,014 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Herbert joined Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Dan Marino as the only quarterback age 23 or younger to throw for 5,000 yards in a season.

His 2023 season saw key pass-catchers Keenan Allen and Mike William miss significant chunks of the season, but he still passed for just over 4,700 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He brought the Chargers to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but L.A. blew a 27-point lead in the Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After three years, Herbert holds a 21-21 record, throwing for 14,089 yards, 94 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions.

Will the Chargers Extend Justin Herbert?

The Chargers have reportedly opened talks with Herbert about a potential contract extension, but it's unclear when the two sides could reach an agreement. Herbert has a Pro Bowl on his resume and has sat near the top of most key passes statistics during his three-year career, so a mega-deal could be in order soon.

Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen all have an average salary of at least $43 million for 2023 and Herbert's deal will likely push him up to that range. According to Spotrac.com, Herbert's projected market value is a 6-year, $254.5 million deal -- meaning his average salary of $42.4 million would fall just behind Mahomes and Allen.

It's only a matter of time before Herbert is extended. Whether it's this offseason or next, it would be a shocking development if he doesn't reach a long-term extension with the franchise.

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