EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers and left tackle Rashawn Slater have agreed to a four-year, $114 million deal, according to multiple outlets. The contract makes Slater the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history at $28.5 million per year.
It’s no surprise the Chargers got the deal done. Slater is not only the anchor of the offensive line but a leader on the entire offense.
He reported to training camp and participated in the first two practices before missing the next seven. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Slater was “working through something minor.” During that time, Slater worked off to the side with strength coach Ben Herbert and looked explosive on Saturday. Whether it was truly a minor injury or a strategic “hold-in,” Slater remained involved — staying around the team, joining huddles, and talking to teammates throughout practice.
The Northwestern product has protected Justin Herbert’s blindside for three seasons. Drafted in 2021, Slater immediately became the starting left tackle and impressed so much as a rookie that he earned second-team All-Pro honors.
He suffered a torn triceps in Week 3 against Jacksonville in 2022, sidelining him for the rest of the year. But he bounced back in 2023 — his first season under Harbaugh — and looked like the dominant tackle the team drafted.
Slater made it clear during minicamp that he didn’t want to play anywhere else. He wants to be a Charger and continue protecting Herbert’s blindside.
Now, with their franchise left tackle locked in, the Chargers can move forward without distractions and focus fully on the 2025 season.
There are still questions to be answered across the offensive line — specifically at center and left guard. Will Zion Johnson or Bradley Bozeman win one of those starting jobs? Or could newcomer Andre James shake things up? Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said James has “stepped up” and is “firmly in the fight.”
For now, Harbaugh’s line has three names locked in with permanent ink: Mekhi Becton at right guard, rookie Joe Alt at right tackle, and now the newly re-signed Slater at left tackle. Between Slater and Alt the Chargers may have the best tackle duo in the NFL.
Harbaugh has said before that offensive linemen are weapons — and on Saturday, he paid his biggest weapon handsomely to protect his quarterback.