3 Chargers contract extensions that need immediate attention
By Jerry Trotta
1. LT Rashawn Slater
It would behoove the Chargers to get Rashawn Slater's contract extension done this offseason. At least, that's how an elite front office would operate. Slater is under contract through 2024 and has a looming fifth-year option that will be worth $19.04 million, per Spotrac.
The Chargers have the fifth-year to fall back on, but waiting until 2025 to extend Slater could cost them extra in terms of annual salary and guaranteed money. As of this writing, the Texans' Laremy Tunsil is the NFL's highest-paid left tackle with a $25 million annual salary. Andrew Thomas of the Giants has the most guaranteed money among LTs with $67 million.
The market will reset soon, whether it's via the Lions' Penei Sewell, the Browns' Jedrick Wills, or the Bucs' Tristan Wirfs. Wills and Wirfs were drafted a year before slater in 2020, but that shouldn't stop the Chargers from getting ahead of the game with Slater, who's one of the premium LTs in the game.
In 2023, Slater ranked fourth among tackles with a 84.6 pass-rush grade. He allowed just one sack and three QB hits, per Pro Football Focus. Still just 25 years old, the Chargers should at the very least open contract negotiations with Slater this summer.