LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers and two-time Professional Bowl left deal with Rashawn Slater agreed Sunday on a four-year $114 million contract extension that features $92 million assured, sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The contract makes Slater the highest-paid offensive lineman by common annual pay in a contract in NFL historical past. Slater has been extension-eligible since final offseason, however basic supervisor Joe Hortiz and the Chargers selected to attend whereas others at his place in his 2021 draft class signed profitable extensions, together with the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell (4 years, $112 million, $85 million assured) and Minnesota Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw (4 years, $104 million, $67 million assured).
The Chargers introduced Sunday they reached an extension with Slater however didn’t disclose phrases of the contract.
PlayerAPYRashawn Slater, LAC$28.5MTristan Wirfs, TB$28.12MPenei Sewell, DET$28MTrent Williams, SF$27.55MChristian Darrisaw, MIN$26M– ESPN’s Adam Schefter
When Hortiz and Harbaugh arrived final February, Slater had simply completed an inconsistent 2023 season. However in 2024, he returned to his place among the many league’s greatest tackles, incomes himself a record-breaking payday.
Slater hasn’t practiced with the staff since July 18; he has been working off to the aspect with government director of participant efficiency Ben Herbert as he works via what Harbaugh known as a minor damage. Nonetheless, his signing is without doubt one of the most essential items to this Chargers staff having success.
Dominant speeding offenses have at all times buoyed Harbaugh’s groups, so having a premier offensive line is paramount. In Harbaugh’s first draft with the Chargers, he took criticism from many for the staff’s determination to draft deal with Joe Alt at No. 5 as a substitute of a move catcher reminiscent of Malik Nabers with that choice.
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“I do know the questions are going to return up, and you are going to say, ‘Properly, what a few weapon?’ Offensive linemen, we take a look at as weapons,” Harbaugh stated then. “That group, after we speak about attacking on offense, [the] offensive line is the tip of the spear.”
The San Francisco 49ers, whom he coached from 2011 to 2014, totaled 12,270 yards passing over his 4 seasons, rating thirtieth within the NFL. The speeding offense, in the meantime, ranked second in yards per sport (139.6) over that span.
This development was related even in Harbaugh’s closing yr on the College of Michigan. The Wolverines’ offense ranked 81st nationally in passing yards per sport (213.7) and sixth within the Massive Ten, whereas the speeding offense was third of their convention (169.1) and forty third nationally. Operating again Blake Corum led the NCAA in speeding touchdowns (27).
With Slater now tied to the Chargers via the 2029 season, maybe the Chargers’ largest offseason storyline is behind them.