Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers and Hayward have agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract extension, including $20 million in guarantees.
The Chargers’ official Twitter account confirmed the report. Not many details have been released, but Rapoport noted that Hayward will make $15.75 million in the first year of his new deal. If the deal is for $36 million in total, he will make $12 million annually, making him the 10th-highest paid corner (tied with Lions’ Darius Slay) in that regard, per OverTheCap.com.
Hayward was entering the final year of his original three-year, $15.3 million deal. General manager Tom Telesco basically stole Hayward on the first deal, and he was able to get the 28-year-old cornerback on a solid price for this next deal.
In two seasons with the Chargers, Hayward has recorded 11 interceptions and 42 passes defensed, making him an All-Pro both seasons and solidifying him as a top-tier cornerback in the league.
Hayward earned invitations to the Pro Bowl the past two years, developing into one of the best cornerbacks in the game and earning a pay raise.
Hayward thanked the Chargers for his new deal and for believing he was more than just a slot cornerback in a tweet Sunday evening.
"Got to thank the @Chargers and the Spanos family for everything," Hayward tweeted. "Believing in a guy everybody said was a NICKEL guy and giving him a chance to flourish outside. 3 more years and counting. Let's push for that ring."
Hayward was voted second-team All-Pro last season, when he finished with four interceptions and 26 pass breakups.
The 28-year-old cornerback helped the Chargers finish with 18 interceptions as a team in 2017 (tied for sixth in the NFL) and allow just 197 passing yards per contest (No. 3 in the league).
After winning nine of their final 12 games and barely missing out on a playoff spot, the Chargers likely aren't looking to overhaul their defense during the free agent period. They hope to re-sign starting safety Tre Boston, but he could command top dollar on the market after his strong season.
