Rashawn Slater, a former first-round draft pick and one of the veteran leaders on the Chargers’ offensive line, is staying in L.A. for the long haul.
Slater signed a four-year, $114-million contract extension with the Chargers on Sunday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro in 2021, Slater will be paid $92 million guaranteed, ESPN and NFL Media reported, the most guaranteed money ever for an NFL offensive lineman. The guaranteed amount surpasses the $88.24 million Tristan Wirfs received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a five-year, $140.6-million deal he signed last summer.
Working as Justin Herbert‘s blindside protector, Slater started every game last season and played a valuable role in helping the Chargers set a franchise record for the fewest offensive turnovers (eight) in a season. He finished last season with the second-best overall grade and the third-best pass-blocking grade at offensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
Slater’s tireless efforts certainly won over Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has Slater in his “Elite Nine” club that includes stars Khalil Mack, Derwin James Jr. and Herbert, among others.
“Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he’s trying to accomplish for himself and his family,” said Harbaugh last month about Slater’s push for a contract extension. “We’re all in support.”
Slater, who was entering the final season of his rookie deal after the Chargers picked up his rookie option in May 2024, is expected to provide a solid pass and run blocking force for a line that was hampered by injuries and struggled, at times, to create opportunities for the running game last year.
Re-signing Slater is the latest in several moves the Chargers have made to address needs on the offensive line. The Chargers signed former Eagles guard Mekhi Becton in the offseason and they’ve been experimenting in camp with Zion Johnson at center and Bradley Bozeman, last season’s starting center, at left guard.
Whether they’ll line up there for the team’s season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5 remains to be seen.
As for Slater, he has been dealing with what Harbaugh described as a minor injury and has yet to practice since the start of training camp on July 17, working with team trainers on the side.
Times staff writers Sam Farmer and Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report.
