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The Los Angeles Chargers had one of the best pass defenses in the National Football League in 2017 and Pro Bowl cornerback Casey Hayward was a big reason why. The Chargers signed the then-26-year-old to a three-year deal during the 2016 offseason. 2018 was the final year left on that deal and the Tom Telesco apparently was not prepared to let his star player reach free agency next year as he inked him to a three-year extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported via Twitter:
The #Chargers are signing standout CB Casey Hayward to a 3-year extension, source said, worth $36M. He gets $20M fully guaranteed at signing. ... LA taking care of its own well-deserved former free agent signing.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2018
An average annual value of $12 million is an excellent value for a player who was arguably the very best at his position and the $20 million guaranteed at signing is no less than what Hayward has earned and will likely be worth over the life of the contract. The deal is frontloaded as Rapoport explained via Twitter:
A few years ago, #Chargers signed CB Casey Hayward a week into free agency — a relative afterthought. It was one of the best signings of the year. Now, he cashes in on his success. All deals are different, but Hayward gets $15.75M in Year 1, Richard Sherman gets $7M base.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2018
That $15.75 million in year one is more than the total value of his original three-year contract with the Chargers. This is a good deal for both parties and Chargers fans should be happy right now.