Chargers sign Pro Bowl CB Casey Hayward to 3-year extension
LOS ANGELES (AP) Casey Hayward got the raise he deserved after two standout seasons for the Chargers.
The Pro Bowl cornerback agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Chargers and Hayward's agent, David Mulugheta, confirmed the deal. NFL.com first reported the extension.
Hayward gets $20 million guaranteed after two Pro Bowl seasons for the Chargers, who signed him in San Diego as a free agent from Green Bay in 2016. The six-year pro has played in every game since moving to the West Coast, getting 11 total interceptions while drawing the toughest defensive assignments for the Chargers' much-improved defense last year.
''Got to thank the (at)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 had played his way into a starting role for the Packers in 2015 after beginning his career mostly as a slot defender, but Green Bay let him walk - and Hayward immediately became one of the NFL's best defensive backs with the Bolts. The website Pro Football Focus graded Hayward as the NFL's best coverage defender last season.
Hayward had one year remaining on his initial free-agent contract. He joins several key defensive players with the Chargers who are locked into long-term deals, including Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Jahleel Addae.
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.
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