Rashawn Slater, a former first-round draft choose and one of many veteran leaders on the Chargers’ offensive line, is staying in L.A. for the lengthy haul.
Slater has agreed to a four-year, $114-million contract extension, in line with an individual with data of the scenario not approved to talk publicly.
A two-time Professional Bowl choice and a second-team All-Professional in 2021, Slater shall be paid $92 million assured, ESPN and NFL Media reported, probably the most assured cash ever for an NFL offensive lineman. The assured quantity surpasses the $88.24 million Tristan Wirfs acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a five-year, $140.6-million deal he signed final summer season.
Working as Justin Herbert’s blindside protector, Slater began each recreation final season and performed a helpful position in serving to the Chargers set a franchise document for the fewest offensive turnovers (eight) in a season. He completed final season with the second-best general grade and the third-best pass-blocking grade at offensive sort out, per Professional Soccer Focus.
Slater’s tireless efforts definitely gained over Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has Slater in his unique “Elite Nine” membership on the workforce that features stars Khalil Mack, Derwin James Jr. and Herbert, amongst others.
“Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he’s trying to accomplish for himself and his family,” mentioned Harbaugh final month about Slater’s push for a contract extension. “We’re all in support.”
Slater, who was getting into the ultimate season of his rookie deal after the Chargers picked up his rookie choice in Could 2024, is anticipated to offer a strong go and run blocking drive for a line that was hampered by accidents and struggled, at occasions, to create alternatives for the working recreation final yr.
Re-signing Slater is the most recent in a number of strikes the Chargers have made to deal with wants on the offensive line. The Chargers signed former Eagles guard Mekhi Becton within the offseason they usually’ve been experimenting in camp with Zion Johnson at middle and Bradley Bozeman, final season’s beginning middle, at left guard.
Whether or not they’ll line up there for the workforce’s season opener in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5 stays to be seen.
As for Slater, he has been coping with a minor harm and has but to participate in a observe session because the begin of coaching camp on July 17, working with workforce trainers on the aspect.
Occasions workers writers Sam Farmer and Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report.
