The Chargers may have just answered the biggest question surrounding their team this offseason. After his notable absence during OTAs, LA’s star left tackle Rashawn Slater returned to the team at the start of this week and participated fully in all three days of mandatory minicamp, according to The Athletic‘s Daniel Popper. As Popper notes, Slater told local media he has “full confidence” that they will reach an agreement on an extension before the 2025 season.
Slater Has ‘Full Confidence,’ ‘No Concern’ Regarding Contract
While Chargers fans have spent the offseason anxious about securing their offensive line, Slater doesn’t seem too concerned.
“I have no concern about it at all,” Slater said, according to Popper. “Realistically speaking, I’ve known for a long time this is how these things go. It’s not something that bothers me. It’s just the business of football.”
Since LA picked up Slater’s fifth-year option last May, his agent has handled contract negotiations, keeping things “pretty low stress.” Slater will earn $19.04 million on that fifth-year option, according to Spotrac. The star tackle told reporters that he would “cross [that bridge] when we get there,” regarding playing this year on his fifth-year option. But Popper notes that a “market-rate extension” for Slater would likely pay him “upwards of $28 million” in AAV.
“I’m not really super concerned about it,” Slater said. “Just prioritizing getting right and trying to be the best player I can be.”
“Deadlines force deals,” writes Popper. “The next big deadline on the NFL calendar is the start of training camp. July 16 is report day for the Chargers this year.” While Slater and the Chargers may not get a deal done by report day, “he has ‘full confidence’ that a deal will get done” before Week 1.
Slater would not have been the first star to skip mandatory minicamp, but Popper calls his return this week a “positive sign for the negotiations.” The tackle also had a significant financial interest to return. LA could have fined him up to $104,768 if he had missed all three days of camp, according to Popper.
“This is my team,” said Slater. “I’m under contract. I don’t want to miss any time. I love being here. So yeah, (this) is just important. This is what we do, and I love these guys. I wouldn’t miss that. Pretty simple.”
2 Spots Along Chargers’ Offensive Line Still in Limbo
During his first media appearance since returning to the team, Slater praised Mekhi Becton, calling him “an absolute beast” and “a great guy to have around.” A reporter asked Slater about working with Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson, who are competing together for the center and left guard spot.
“I think both of those guys are incredibly talented,” said Slater. “Both have unique tools that benefit them both at different positions. I’m enjoying just watching them do their thing . . . But, I think both of those guys have an opportunity to do really good at either position, so whatever ends up happening there, I’m in support of.”
Despite Slater’s “full confidence,” the Chargers still haven’t found the right combination up the middle of their offensive line. The biggest question remains whether Bradley Bozeman will return to his starting spot at center or if Zion Johnson will shift to the middle and send Bozeman to left guard. Popper noted that Bozeman and Johnson “swapped again at left guard and center,” with Johnson working at center and Bozeman at left guard on Tuesday, and vice versa on Wednesday.
During LA’s second practice on Wednesday, offensive coordinator Greg Roman emphasized the importance of versatility along the interior offensive line. According to Popper, Roman noted that Johnson’s move to center will “be a process,” as the fourth-year lineman has yet to play center in the NFL.
“That versatility of being able to play either, I think, is very important for any interior O-lineman,” Roman said. “You’ve got to be able to play two positions, and that’s part of the strategy, too.”
“Hopefully it’s a quick one,” Roman said.
Chargers Top-Rated Tackle Has ‘Full Confidence’ in Getting Extension Done This Offseason