As the Los Angeles Chargers opened training camp Wednesday, star left tackle Rashawn Slater was on the field and in uniform—despite being in the midst of contract negotiations that could make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
Slater, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie deal after the Chargers picked up his fifth-year option, which will pay him $19.04 million in 2025. According to the LA Times’ Thuc Nhi Nguyen, general manager Joe Hortiz confirmed the team is actively working on a long-term extension.
Chargers, Rashawn Slater Progressing Toward Massive Extension as Training Camp Opens
“We’re working through it,” Hortiz said. “Like any high-level negotiation … they just take time. But every conversation’s been great. Both sides, we’re making progress. We’re feeling good about it.”
The optimism is warranted—and so is the urgency. Slater is coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance and a dominant 2024 campaign, where he earned a 90.9 PFF grade, allowed just two penalties over 904 snaps, and ranked among the league’s best in pass- and run-block win rates. He was one of only six offensive linemen in the league to grade above 90.0 across 500 or more snaps.
Given the market, Slater’s extension could rival or exceed deals signed by Tristan Wirfs ($28.15M AAV) and Andrew Thomas, with $30 million per year not out of the question.
“I have full confidence [a deal will get done],” Slater said during minicamp. “It’s just the business of football.”
With Joe Alt emerging as a force at right tackle, the Chargers now boast arguably the NFL’s top bookend duo. In a league defined by quarterback play and pass rush, securing Slater long-term isn’t just smart—it’s foundational to keeping Justin Herbert protected for years to come.
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