The San Diego Chargers and defensive end Corey Liuget have agreed on a new contract extension, the team announced Tuesday evening. Liuget, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract after the team exercised his fifth-year option, will remain in San Diego on a reported five-year extension worth more than $50 million. Exact details of the contract, including guaranteed money, have yet to be disclosed.
Corey Liuget signs multi-year extension with Chargers
The 25-year-old defensive lineman led the team in sacks last season.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers made Liuget a priority, giving him an extension before either quarterback Philip Rivers or Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle. Despite Donald Butler's struggles following a seven-year, $51.8 million contract last season, the Chargers weren't scared from rewarding a younger defender with a new deal.
Liuget is 25 years old and reliable -- he’s started 61 of a possible 64 games in his career and has only missed one game. He’s excellent getting after the quarterback, leading the team in sacks for the past two seasons. In four seasons, Liuget has 169 tackles, 18 sacks, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, along with 15 pass deflections.
The Chargers have a recent history of letting their big-name free agents get through their contract years before extending them. Both Butler and King Dunlap played into their final seasons before receiving deals, but Liuget is both younger and has a higher upside than either of those two players.
Liuget, a first-round draft pick by San Diego, became the second defensive end from the 2011 class to receive an extension this offseason. The Saints inked Cameron Jordan to a new five-year, $60 million deal last week.
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