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Chargers general manager Tom Telesco noted this month that the Chargers are in good shape thanks in large part to the fact that quarterback Justin Herbert is still under contract with a rookie. And the Chargers are doing everything they can to capitalize on it.
Now the Chargers have signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a new deal that will see him receive a $14 million cap this year, and they traded for Khalil Mak, who will have a $17.75 million cap this year. And even after those two moves, the Chargers are still in good shape.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Chargers will have about $25 million in free space when the Mack deal becomes official at the start of the league season.
This is largely due to the fact that Herbert only counted $7.2 million from the ceiling in the third year of his rookie contract. In a year, Herbert will be eligible for a new contract, and if he plays in 2022 the same way he did in 2021, he is sure to achieve one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history. But in what could be the last year Herbert plays on an absolute contract deal, the Chargers are all in.