Justin Herbert (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

There’s a rumor going around that the Los Angeles Chargers are in talks with an NFC team regarding a blockbuster trade involving superstar quarterback Justin Herbert.

Last year, the Chargers and Justin Herbert agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $262.5 million. Herbert hasn’t at all hinted at wanting to move on, and the Bolts seem committed to building around him long-term. But perhaps LA general manager Joe Hortiz would be open to trading his star QB for the right price.

According to Antonio Brown’s CTESPN Network, the Chargers are speaking to the Minnesota Vikings about a trade for Herbert. Obviously, anything said by the controversial former NFL wideout should be taken with a grain of salt, but this one is certainly intriguing.

Per CTESPN Network, a source told Brown that Herbert is getting a physical on the broken right index finger that required season-ending surgery. The source told Brown that “the projected trade package” for Herbert would include the No. 11 and No. 23 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, standout offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw and a 2025 conditional second-round pick.

Again, this is merely an unconfirmed rumor by Brown’s network that no reputable NFL insiders have reported. But it’s worth noting that CTESPN was the first to report the news that Russell Wilson was signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chargers Should Keep Building Around Justin Herbert

Los Angeles could trade Herbert for a giant haul that would include multiple first-round picks. But Herbert is arguably a top-five quarterback in the game, and he’s only in the early stages of his prime now.

It doesn’t make sense for Los Angeles to trade Herbert now. There’s plenty of talent on both sides of the roster, and the Bolts just hired a highly accomplished HC in Jim Harbaugh to turn things around.

Even if the Vikings were to offer the exact package noted above, the Chargers need to turn it down and focus on building the franchise around No. 10.