Chargers News: Justin Herbert Emerges as Under-the-Radar MVP Hopeful

Could the Bolts' franchise player be the league's best?

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert became the king of NFL contracts this week when he signed a five-year, $262.5 million deal to stay in Los Angeles. That makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history on a yearly basis, as he'll make $52.5 million per season over the life of the contract.

The 25-year-old is without question one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but could he reach the league's mountaintop and make a run at the Most Valuable Player award in 2023?

Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon named the Charger signal caller one of his under-the-radar MVP candidates, and Herbert's progression in a key area last season was part of his reasoning behind that.

"Some of his numbers took a slight dip last year, but he posted a career-best 68.2 completion rate while the Chargers won double-digit games for the first time in his tenure. That despite the fact that he dealt with rib and shoulder injuries and his top two weapons, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, had injuries of their own."

(via Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report)

The fact that Herbert was able to succeed despite those injuries and an essentially thin receiving corps is a good sign for the year ahead.

Allen and Williams will be back in the fold this season, and adding rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston as a serious threat will give Herbert even more weapons to choose from.

Additionally, the Chargers figure to employ a pass-heavy offense under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, as Moore put the onus on quarterback Dak Prescott at times over his four seasons running the Dallas Cowboys offense.

The ingredients are there for a successful season, individually for Herbert and the team as a whole. If Herbert is able to again lead Los Angeles to the playoff in what should be a gauntlet of an AFC West, the soon-to-be fourth-year QB may find himself taking home some hardware.