COSTA MESA >> Justin Herbert looked the same during the long, grinding build-up to the Chargers’ season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and the start of his fourth year in the NFL. Six weeks under an intense sun, and he showed off the same arm, same legs, same poise.

What’s changed for the 25-year-old quarterback, the man tasked with leading the Chargers’ revamped offense in the 2023 season?

Bigger bank account.

Herbert signed a mammoth, five-year, $262.5 million contract on the eve of training camp on July 25, making him the highest-paid quarterback per year in the NFL with an average annual value of $52.5 million and topping the previous high (Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens at $52 million).

“I just get to play football now,” Herbert said back on July 26.

Herbert certainly didn’t alter his play, although teammates suggested he became a more vocal leader in training camp, more willing to speak up in the huddle and during team meetings in the locker room. He acknowledged he had grown as a leader since leaving the University of Oregon in 2020.

“I don’t think I’ve been any different than what I’ve done the past couple of years,” he said last week. “I think I’ve always planned to be better and continue to grow as a leader, as a quarterback, as a teammate. I think that’s the natural progression of playing in the NFL. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really great teammates and coaches around me that have been able to support me.

“I wouldn’t be here without them at all.”

Where he is at present is near the top of his profession.

Herbert has passed for 4,000 yards or more in each of his first three seasons, including 4,739 during the 2022 season (second behind Patrick Mahomes of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs with 5,250). His 477 completions were second behind future Hall of Famer Tom Brady’s 490 last season.

What’s more, per the NFL’s crack media relations department, Herbert is third in the league with 14,089 yards and sixth with 94 touchdown passes since making his debut in 2020. He’s also the first player in league history to pass for 4,000 yards or more in each of his first three seasons.

Where he is at the moment definitely isn’t where he’d like to be, though.

Herbert has played in only one playoff game in his three seasons so far, the Chargers’ remarkable collapse in a wild-card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last January. Herbert and the Chargers built a 27-0 lead by the second quarter only to squander it en route to a 31-30 loss.

Overall, Herbert has a 25-24 career record.

Herbert is far from satisfied, as he readily acknowledged recently. As is his custom, though, he deflected a question about himself to include his teammates. He isn’t one to reveal too much during interviews with reporters, even those he has known for his three years with the Chargers.

“We’ve had a sense of urgency as soon as camp started,” he said of preparing to put last season behind him. “That’s one of those things that we did a great job of – showing up and taking advantage of every practice that we had. From the first one to this one, guys showed up, they gave their best effort and we got better. I think that’s one of the good things that the Chargers did so far this year.”

What else that has changed is working with a new offensive coordinator. Kellen Moore took over for Joe Lombardi, a casualty of the debacle in Jacksonville and some decidedly conservative play-calling last season that was likely an outgrowth of Herbert’s early-season rib injury.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Moore said of unveiling a new playbook against Miami this weekend.

Otherwise, it’s all been the same as it ever was for Herbert and the Chargers.

“Justin has been fantastic,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “I think the way that he affects everybody in the organization, you just see the comfort that he has within this team and his role within the team, and that’s what you want. He has continued to improve every year that I’ve been with him. Knowing those close to him, going a long way back, that’s one of the secrets: How much it means to him. He is going to make the adjustments. He is going to make improvements.

“He’s been fantastic for us. We’re all excited to see him play.”