The LA Chargers made the move fans have been waiting for on Sunday, signing tackle Rashawn Slater to a record-setting extension. Slater is under contract for five more seasons to go along with the four seasons Joe Alt is still under contract.
An extension was widely expected, but the more time passed the more fans were worried it would impact the 2025 season. Thankfully, the Chargers came to terms before the Hall of Fame game, allowing Slater to fully focus on the 2025 season.
Signing Slater to an extension also has a direct impact on the 2025 season in other areas. By converting some of his base salary in 2025 into future bonus money, the Chargers have created even more cap space to spend. Slater's cap hit in 2025 has fallen to $14.8 million, which creates just over $4.1 million in newfound cap space.
With new cap space, the door is open for the Chargers to add to the roster.
Chargers should sign Christian Wilkins or Keenan Allen after extending Rashawn Slater
Two names instantly jump to mind to spend the newfound cap space on. One of those players likely won't cost more than the free space the team created. One will likely cost more, but the Bolts have more than enough space to afford them.
Christian Wilkins represents an interesting opportunity for the Chargers following his Raiders release. As bad as his contract was, Wilkins is still a home-run addition on a cheap deal (that would likely be under the cap space the team created). There are concerns about his injury, sure, but even half a season of Wilkins would be worth a salary near the league minimum.
Allen would likely cost more than the created salary cap space and whether or not the Chargers should add him has been heavily debated. On one hand, he has a built-in rapport with Justin Herbert similar to Mike Williams, who is now retired.
On the other hand, Allen's style is a bit redundant with Ladd McConkey, bringing into question if it is worth the resource to bring him in.
However, the one thing that is undoubtedly true in football is you can never have too much talent, especially with passing weapons. With newfound space, it becomes much easier for the Chargers to stomach a potential $8-10 million cap hit on a one-year deal.
As it stands right now, the Chargers have just above $30 million in cap space. Some of that space has to be saved for in-season moves, and it will be beneficial to roll that extra space over to the 2026 season.
However, the Chargers would be silly not to use at least some of that extra cap space to add talent to the roster in 2025. With the Slater deal now done, the Chargers can turn to the next step in the process.