Brandon Staley explains how looming Justin Herbert extension will impact ability to spend elsewhere

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley used the words “confident” and “optimistic” to describe ongoing contract extension discussions with starting quarterback Justin Herbert this week. Staley joined the Rich Eisen Show to clear up the situation and explain how Herbert’s extension could impact the team’s spending elsewhere.

“It’s a lot about structure, how you’re going to structure the contracts,” Staley said to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. “If you have an organization with a healthy cap, a right amount of premium players, as long as you don’t have to sacrifice your draft capital… as long as you’re paying someone that amount of money, you have to replenish via the draft.

“We have our draft capital intact and the right amount of premium players on both sides of the ball… Things are going to change when this contract happens but what’s not going to change is that Justin is going to be leading our football team and playing like he always does and that he has a team around him that’s really special.”

Heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract this year, Herbert costs the Chargers just $4.2 million for the 2023 season. That number goes up dramatically next year with a fifth-year option of $29.5 million. An extension before his fifth year could reduce the cap hit for 2024 and lock him in for years to come.

The Chargers also have the option of franchise tagging Herbert for the 2025 season if they can’t workout a long-term deal now.

Staley updates Austin Ekeler’s status following contract dispute

The Los Angeles Chargers were able to put one of their biggest pieces of offseason drama behind them late last month by agreeing to a contract adjustment for star running back Austin Ekeler. With that agreement signed, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told Tom Pelissero on the Rich Eisen Show that Ekeler has come back to the team and is playing with everything he’s got.

“He came in here yesterday and he lit it up just like he always does,” Staley said. “I think, as you know and probably have some insight into this, we love this guy. We totally understand the business side of it. You’re seeing other running backs go through the same thing. We know how good a player he is… he’s become one of the top players at his position in the league.

“We were able to come to a really, I think, fair agreement and I think the respect was high the whole way. He came into practice and he plays like he always does. No one’s in better shape, no one cares more, and no one’s a bigger professional than Austin. We’re certainly a better team with him.”

The Chargers owe the 27-year-old running back $6.25 million in 2023, which is the last year of his contract. They did manage to work out a revised contract that added $1.75 million in incentives.

Based on his performance, Ekeler could get up to $1 million for total yards (tiered from 1,125 to 1,639 yards), up to $600,000 for touchdowns (tiered from 10 to 16 touchdowns). He can also receive another $150,000 for a Pro Bowl selection.