ESPN’s Aaron Schatz listed Los Angeles Chargers starting left tackle Rashawn Slater as a top extension priority, and he’s right. The Chargers shouldn’t let this one get close to free agency.
Slater is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and remains one of the most important players on this roster. He ranked 22nd in pass block win rate last season at 90.7 percent and 10th in run block win rate at 78.6 percent. Even without the All-Pro buzz of his rookie season, he’s still anchoring the left side with consistency and physicality.
Rashawn Slater Should Be Los Angeles Chargers Top Priority
PFF listed Slater as the 2nd-ranked tackle in the entire NFL, posting the third-best pass block grade and the 5th-best run block grade among 140 tackles.
The Los Angeles Chargers have other offensive linemen set to hit the market after 2025, Zion Johnson and Trey Pipkins included, but Slater is the one they absolutely need long term. He protects Justin Herbert’s blind side, sets the tone in the run game, and brings a level of professionalism that’s hard to replace.
Dicker The Kicker Fan? Shop Our Merch HERE!
This front office is already locked in with Herbert. Now, the priority should be keeping him upright. Letting Slater play out the year without an extension is a risk, especially at a premium position where prices keep climbing.
Take what their SoCal neighbor Rams did as an example with Kevin Dotson and pay him before other guys of the same caliber cash in.
The smart move is to extend him now, avoid a bidding war later, and lock down one of the few true building blocks on this roster.