Rashawn Slater showed up to training camp and subsequently got paid.
The Chargers and their star left tackle agreed to a four-year, $114 million contract extension with $92 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Sunday. Slater, whose extension was subsequently announced by the team, is now the league's highest-paid offensive lineman on an annual basis at $28.5 million.
Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler for Los Angeles since joining the team as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 draft, was set to play on his $19 million fifth-year rookie option, with no security beyond 2025.
He reported to training camp on July 16 despite seeking a new deal, at which time general manager Joe Hortiz told local reporters negotiations were set to continue. Those talks ultimately culminated in a long-term pact to keep quarterback Justin Herbert's blindside protector in the fold for the foreseeable future.
Slater has earned every penny of his second NFL contract.
He was a Day 1 starter for the Chargers, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro selection while placing fourth in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Although a torn biceps derailed his second season after just three games, Slater returned in stellar form the past two seasons and has otherwise been durable, missing three total contests across his other three years in the league.
The 26-year-old proved a perfect fit for the system installed under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, an unmovable piece anchoring the left side of the line no matter the play call. Sporting remarkable strength and balance, Slater finished the 2024 season graded second overall (91.1) among tackles by PFF, third in pass blocking (90.4) and fifth in run blocking (82.8).
He also allowed the sixth-lowest pressure rate (7.8%) and and seventh-lowest sack rate (1.0%) among tackles who played at least 400 snaps as a pass blocker, per Next Gen Stats, which amounted to three sacks surrendered throughout the campaign on the way to his second Pro Bowl.
His versatility allows Herbert to continue dealing from the pocket and aligns with what the Harbaugh-Roman pairing always seeks to do -- ground and pound opposing defenses into submission with the run game.
This year, that will include forging the way for Najee Harris and first-round pick Omarion Hampton.
In years to come, pieces of the formula might change, but the Chargers have ensured Slater will long be a part of it.
He showed patience in showing for camp and getting to work, and L.A. in turn rewarded him with the extension he coveted.
