The wait is finally over. The Chargers have secured the left side of their line for at least the next four years by making star left tackle Rashawn Slater the highest-paid lineman in league history.
Early this afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that LA agreed to a four-year, $114 million extension with Slater. The deal “includes a record $92 million guaranteed and now makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history,” Schefter wrote.
Slater Passes Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs for Title of Highest-Paid Offensive Lineman
After months of reports about Slater focusing on his on-field production, his appearance at training camp still didn’t silence the rumors regarding a possible holdout. He hadn’t practiced for a full week, as of Friday, despite participating in the first two practices on July 17 and 18.
“He then sat out the next seven practices, working off to the side with the training staff,” wrote Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “According to Harbaugh, Slater was initially dealing with a ‘minor’ injury,” Popper continued.
Harbaugh reportedly said that Slater’s absence was “related to a physical ailment and not contract negotiations,” according to Popper.
While Slater watched off to the side, the Chargers front office continued to work with his representation on a long-term extension. As a result, he is now the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
After Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs reset the tackle market last August, Slater figured to be the next highest-paid lineman in the league. Wirfs’ deal includes an average annual value of $28,120,000, according to Spotrac. Now, Slater’s deal is set to surpass it at $28,500,000 per year.
“Now the Chargers have locked up Slater for the long term, and their preparation for 2025 can commence with no distractions,” Popper wrote.
Chargers Still Looking to Secure 2 Spots on Line
Even though the Chargers originally received a B grade for their 2025 offseason, they should move up a bit now that Slater has been paid. After months of rumors surrounding the Chargers rotation up front, LA has solidified three of the five spots.
The biggest question mark still remains on the offensive line, though. Heading into training camp, the focus shifted to the rotation between Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson at center and left guard.
Now that they’ve paid Rashawn Slater, the Chargers will focus on filling the other gaps around their roster. This morning, Popper posted his thoughts on day nine of Chargers training camp, including the all-important position battle in the middle.
“Johnson’s padded reps Saturday provided the first tangible benchmark as the 2022 first-round pick attempts a positional switch from guard to center,” Popper wrote. “The evaluation can now begin in earnest,” he continued.
Even in the past few days, though, free agent signing Andre James has earned some public praise from the Chargers coaching staff. Johnson has no experience at any level playing center, so if James can emerge as a starting center, they could be down to just a battle for left guard.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman made headlines yesterday, telling reporters that Andre James “has made the competition a three-man race of late.”
“Andre James is doing a really good job at center,” Roman said, according to Chargers Editorial Director Eric Smith. “To me, he’s really elevated himself into the mix as well.”
With Rashawn Slater paid through 2029, the Chargers have answered their biggest question of the offseason. Now, they can focus on finding an answer on their interior offensive line and at wide receiver.
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