El SEGUNDO, Calif. — One of the biggest questions looming over the Chargers’ offseason is when standout left tackle Rashawn Slater will sign a new deal.
Slater was absent during the OTA’s portion of the offseason, but those are voluntary. He showed up on Monday to participate in a media day for the team, and on Tuesday, he was on the field for a minicamp.
“I don’t want to miss any time,” Slater said. “I love being here.”
He met with the media on Thursday after the final day of the minicamp and said he was going to let his agent handle all of the negotiations.
He is focused on training.
Slater works out with offensive line guru Duane “Duke” Manyweather in Texas. They go through the film and design a routine for the offensive lineman.
Even though Slater is entering his fifth year in the NFL, he always sees areas of his game that he needs to improve.
“There’s always something,” Slater explained. “There’s a lot of things from last year, I looked at tape, and I’m like, ‘wow, that could have been so much better.’ In pass protection, there’s a few key things here, run blocking two and just getting healthy, getting the body feeling good.”
The Pro Bowl left tackle has been a staple of the Chargers offensive line since being drafted in 2021. He is a captain of the team and is a leader of the offensive line.
Right tackle Joe Alt said last season how Slater was a big help to him when he first came into the league.
It is challenging to predict how this regime will handle contract extensions, but if a deal isn’t finalized by training camp, could he miss time?
“Haven’t really thought that far ahead, but obviously my intention is to play,” Slater said.
Speaking of Alt, offensive coordinator Greg Roman raved about the right tackle on the Chargers team podcast “Chargers Weekly.” He feels like the second year player out of Notre Dame could be in for an All-Pro season.
Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune
A detail view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet during an OTA practice session at The Bolt on May 27, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
“He’s going to be the best, if not one of the best, the best right tackle in the NFL,” Slater said of Alt. “He’s very devoted. He’s got all the tools. There’s nothing stopping him.”
It is year two under Jim Harbaugh, so the players know what to expect from the coaches and the work they must put in.
“Compared to last year, it seems like we’re, we’re pretty far ahead of where we were,” Slater said.
There are high expectations for the team, which brought in two new running backs and a new right guard.
There is a month between the end of the minicamp and the start of training camp. It will be interesting to see what approach Slater will take if a deal isn’t done by July 17th.
Slater is going to focus on getting ready for the season and let his agent handle the rest.
“I’ve known for a long time, this how these things go,” Slater said. “It’s not something that’s bothered me. It’s just the business of football. So I feel confidence.”