Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater finally spoke to the media at mandatory minicamp. After not attending OTAs, Slater made his presence felt at June minicamp after formally returning to the building earlier in the week. As has been previously written about, Slater risked fines if he were to remain absent from this week's mandatory activities.
On why it was important to attend minicamp despite the ongoing contract negotiations, Slater said this:
"It's my team. I'm in a contract. I don't want to miss any time," Slater started. "I love being here. It's important, this is what we do. I love these guys, I wouldn't miss that. Just pretty simple."
Asked if he expects to get a deal done before the season, Slater said that his agent is handling those conversations on his behalf. "I'm just focused on training," Slater said. "Whatever happens, happens."
Slater was asked a later follow-up question about his confidence level in a deal getting done before the start of the 2025 season. "I have no concern at all," Slater said. "I have full confidence, I feel good." Asked if he would play on the fifth-year option without a contract extension, the Northwestern product said, "we'll cross that road when we get there."
Rashawn Slater is fully confident in getting a contract extension done with the Chargers
Ultimately, Slater's attendance at mandatory minicamp is a positive sign for getting a deal done before the 2025 season. As for exactly when a deal will be inked between both sides, history tells us training camp is when the Chargers tend to get contracts done.
Despite Joe Hortiz taking over the front office, VP of Football Administration/Player Finance Ed McGuire is still involved in the team's financial brain trust.
Quarterback Justin Herbert got his extension done on July 25th, 2023, the day after the team reported to camp. Safety Derwin James agreed to his second contract with the team on August 17th, 2022.
Other previous extensions like Joey Bosa and Keenan Allen got done in August and September, respectively, before the season kicked off in 2020.
If the Chargers are sitting in late August without a deal done with their franchise left tackle, alarm bells could start ringing. But for the time being, it sounds like Slater, his agent, and the team are all on the same page.