Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Los Angeles Chargers‘ Rashawn Slater has firmly cemented himself as one of the league’s premier left tackles. Ranked sixth overall by a panel of executives, coaches, and scouts in ESPN’s recent tackle rankings, Slater continues to earn widespread respect for his elite consistency, intelligence, and fit in Greg Roman’s offense.
“Slater was better against pressure and excelled in this scheme,” an NFC executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “If you put the emphasis on movement rather than pure physicality, you value him more.” That sentiment is echoed across the league, with evaluators praising Slater’s ability to thrive in space and anchor against top-tier edge rushers. His 68 run-block losses were the fewest among any tackle who received a vote and played at least 12 games.
Chargers’ Rashawn Slater Ranked Sixth Among NFL Tackles, Primed for Massive Payday
Despite his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame—which some scouts feel causes him to wear down late in games—Slater’s discipline and technique more than make up for any minor durability concerns. He committed just two penalties in 904 snaps last season, a mark of his mental sharpness and technical mastery.
In 2024, Slater earned a 90.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, one of only six offensive linemen to hit that mark across 500 or more snaps. He blocked on an island more than 65 percent of the time, posting elite win rates in both pass (90.7%) and run blocking (78.6%).
With Joe Alt emerging on the opposite side of the line, the Chargers boast two of PFF’s top 16 tackles entering 2025. Alt didn’t crack the top 10, but earned honorable mention status in Fowler’s ranking. While Alt may be the future, Slater remains the present foundation.
Now entering his fifth season, Slater is negotiating what could be a record-setting extension, possibly approaching the $30 million per year mark. The Chargers picked up his fifth-year option at $19.04 million but are widely expected to finalize a long-term deal before the season.
Slater’s commitment hasn’t wavered during talks. “I love being here,” he said during minicamp. “This is what we do—I love these guys.”
With a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh and a retooled offense built around protecting Justin Herbert, locking in Rashawn Slater is a no-brainer. He’s not just a top-six tackle—he’s a cornerstone of the Chargers’ future.
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