Rashawn Slater and the Los Angeles Chargers have finally come to a historic agreement, signing a 4-year, $114 million deal, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL on an annual basis.
Rashawn Slater’s 4-Year $114 Million Contract Breakdown
Contract:
- Length: 4 years
- Total: $114 million
- AAV: $28.5 million
- Total Guarantees $92 million
Rashawn Slater’s 4-year, $114 million contract includes $92 million in guaranteed money, with an average annual value (AAV) of $28.5 million, both of which are the highest ever for an offensive lineman.
He also received the largest signing bonus at $29 million for an offensive trench player. Running through the 2029 season, the deal will have the largest cash flow for an offensive lineman in each of the first three seasons
Who Has Higher Contract Totals Than Rashawn Slater?
Total Contract Value Ranking:
- Tristan Wirfs – $140.6 million
- Andrew Thomas – $117.5 million
- Rashawn Slater – $114 million
- Christian Darrisaw – $104 million
- Trent Williams – $82.6 million
The only two left tackles with more total money on their contracts are Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs and Giants LT Andrew Thomas. Valued at $140.6 million and $117.5 million, respectively, both signed 5-year agreements, meaning their AAV will be spread out.
Check Out Our Custom Los Angeles Chargers Merch!
For the caliber of player the Chargers know they’re getting, the $114 million total contract value over a 4-year period is well worth it.
Average Annual Value (AAV)
AAV Ranking:
- Rashawn Slater – $28.5 million
- Tristan Wirfs – $28.125 million
- Trent Williams – $27.5 million
- Christian Darrisaw – $26 million
- Laremy Tunsil – $25 million
In terms of the AAV of other top-tier left tackles, Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers and the aforementioned Tristan Wirfs are right behind Slater. Wirfs is one of the next generation of cornerstone tackles, while Williams has been the golden standard for tackles across the league.
Placing such a heavy investment on a franchise stalwart like Slater gives a real indication of what the Chargers’ front office and ownership think about him.
Where Do Others Stack Up In Terms Of Total Guaranteed Money?
Total Guaranteed Money Ranking:
- Rashawn Slater – $92 million
- Tristan Wirfs – $88.2 million
- Christian Darrisaw – $77.5 million
- Andrew Thomas – $67 million
- Dan Moore Jr. – $60 million
Wirfs once again comes in second behind Slater at $88.2 million in total guaranteed money, while fellow draftmate Christian Darrisaw slides into third with $77.5 million.
Both are phenomenal young tackles who will continue to ascend, as attested by their Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranking as the 9th (82.8) and 11th (81.4) best tackles last season.
More News: Chargers ‘Something Minor’ Injury Stokes Familiar Durability Questions At Critical Position
In comparison, Slater was PFF’s second-highest ranked tackle in the league, with an overall grade of 91.1, making the extra $3.8 million in guaranteed money well worth it.
Across the board, Rashawn Slater is either at the top or within the top 3 in multiple contractual categories. The lucrative long-term investment made by the Chargers, however, is well worth it.
To lock down arguably the NFL’s best blindside protector, which provides the stability franchise QB Justin Herbert needs to succeed, is worth more than its weight in gold.