Justin Herbert gets to next step after shoulder surgery

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert underwent shoulder surgery this offseason (non-throwing shoulder) and has been slowly working his way back to the field. Herbert said he plans to participate in team drills this week after he had just been working on the side. Herbert returning to team drills already is a good sign that he'll be ready to go for training camp next month.

Justin Herbert said the plan is for him to work back into 7-on-7 drills this week during OTAs. Would be his first team drills of the offseason. Herbert has been rehabbing from labrum surgery he underwent in January on his non-throwing shoulder.

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) June 5, 2023

On top of returning to the field, Herbert is also due a huge payday soon and head coach Brandon Staley acknowledged that those talks and negotiations are ongoing.

Herbert didn't exactly give a straight answer when asked if he would play this upcoming season without a new contract. "That's a good question. I think that's something you have to address and you have to think about."

more qb news:

• New England Patriots QB Mac Jones had a down season in 2022 but is committing to getting back to his rookie-season-form. "I'm going to do everything I can to earn the respect of everybody in this building again. Sometimes the most confident people come from a year where they might not have been their best. I feel like that's where I'm at. Really great people are formed through ups and downs. Some of the learning experiences I had last year will really help. There's a lot of things I can do better as a person, as a player."
  

• Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith cashed in this offseason and now has a rare sense of security with the team. Smith says although he welcomes this change, he's not really doing anything different than he had been doing before. "So I was leading these guys when I was the backup. Leadership doesn't have a title. You're either a leader or you're not. Leadership, to me, it's something I've been about my whole life. I just continued to do the same things, I haven't changed anything."
  

• A few Dallas Cowboys are patiently waiting in line for a contract extension, QB Dak Prescott included. Team owner Jerry Jones says those other contract-eligible players don't "necessarily" have to happen before Prescott's turn comes.
  
  • The Cowboys worked out QB Jacob Eason on Monday.
    

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said “it is not imperative” to ramp up contract extension discussions with players before training camp. Does Dak Prescott deal need to be done before others, given its scale? “Not necessarily. …Pollard has nothing to do with Dak.” pic.twitter.com/QaecRZoGID

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 5, 2023

• Arizona Cardinals backup QB Colt McCoy has been dealing with a slew of injuries since the end of last season, but said he's determined to continue playing as long as he can.
  

“I still want to play. I’m still confident I can play.”

Arizona Cardinals QB Colt McCoy says he evaluated if he wanted to continue to play or retire this offseason. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/QOCbikFyCl

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) June 5, 2023

• The San Francisco 49ers worked out XFL QB Jack Coan.