Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers reach four-year deal containing most guaranteed money ever for 34th pick, per report

The Los Angeles Chargers signed Ladd McConkey to a four-year deal on Monday, earning him the most guaranteed money in NFL history for a No. 34 pick, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport’s original report did not contain an exact number for how much the Chargers have agreed to give McConkey. However, LA has been high on McConkey since before they drafted him as the Chargers traded up with the New England Patriots to move up a handful of spots to secure the wideout.

“I think you always want to go where you’re wanted,” McConkey said, via On3’s Nikki Chavanelle. “When you hear that, you want to be there that much more. Now I’m excited to get through this, get to training camp, get to the season and get rolling.”

During his last season at Georgia, McConkey didn’t have huge numbers in 2023 due to injuries. But when he was healthy, McConkey was impactful, catching 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 38 rushing yards and one touchdown on two carries.

McConkey had his best season in 2022, catching 58 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven attempts. His production during the 2022 season led to him being selected to the All-SEC Second Team.

One of McConkey’s best games was the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. In the 65-7 victory against TCU, McConkey caught five passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

There was some familiarity between McConkey and first-year Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh before they drafted the former Bulldogs star. Facing him when Michigan took on the UGA in the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal. In that game, McConkey only had two receptions for 14 yards, but the Bulldogs won the game 34-11 and went on to win the national title.

Before his successful stint at Georgia, McConkey played high school football at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Georgia where he was a three-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 1,146 overall prospect and the No. 188 wide receiver in the 2020 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The Chargers begin the 2024 NFL season with a familiar foe – the Las Vegas Raiders. They’ll face off on Sept. 8, which will be McConkey’s NFL debut against his team’s AFC West rival.