While the Los Angeles Chargers selected Ladd McConkey in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he has a path to become the team’s primary receiver. They made sure to give him a record-setting rookie contract worthy of his potential.
The former Georgia standout agreed to a four-year, $9.9 million deal, the highest guaranteed money for a 34th overall pick. The amount beats the four-year, $9.465 million rookie scale contract tight end Sam LaPorta signed with the Detroit Lions last year.
The #Chargers and Ladd McConkey reached a 4-year deal today with the most guaranteed money in NFL history for a 34th pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 17, 2024
It beat the QB premium for the same pick in '23, carrying the most guarantees over a pick below in the round. Ladd's agent @ChrisCabott confirmed the deal. pic.twitter.com/FJsD5rH52D
McConkey's contract includes a $4.089 signing bonus, which will be prorated for salary cap purposes. However, according to the breakdown provided by Spotrac, he will get that amount and a $795,000 base salary in 2024.
His base salaries for the succeeding seasons are as follows: $1,249,327 (2025), $1,703,654 (2026), and $2,157,981 (2027). Meanwhile, his cap hit will be as follows: $1,817,306 (2024), $2,271,633 (2025), $2,725,960 (2026), and $3,180,287 (2027).
It's a bargain for the Chargers, mainly if he performed according to the hype surrounding him after some impressive offseason workouts. As Chargers Wire's Alex Insdorf tweeted, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said that McConkey quickly picked up their offense as if he was already a five-year veteran.
McConkey had 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs. The two-time national champion and 2022 Second Team All-SEC member added four rushing touchdowns out of 216 yards from the ground.
-Lance Fernandez