Chargers Must Extend Star Tackle
Jim Harbaugh’s gritty, tough team mindset has surely carried over to the Los Angeles Chargers. Last offseason, the Chargers cut ties with big time skill position players like Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler. Joe Hortiz and Habraugh’s philosophy on being a ground and pound team was more than evident. Especially since with the fifth pick overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Joe Alt over Malik Nabers. With Alt at right tackle and Rashawn Slater on the left side, the Chargers had the best offensive tackle duo in the league. Slater has been a bonafide star since entering the league in 2021. He has been named a two time pro bowler and has only been called for 17 penalties in his career.
Currently, Slater will be playing on the fifth year option of his rookie deal next season. However, the Chargers would be really smart to get a long-term contract extension done as soon as possible. Slater has been contract eligible for months now, but still no deal has been struck. He is expected to become the highest paid left tackle in all of football and deservingly so. Protecting Justin Herbert’s blindside is very important and should be a position the Chargers should not be gambling on. Slater’s reliability and dominant play has been a sight to see. Also not only is he a great pass blocker, Slater is amazing at sealing the edge for his running backs to break loose. The Chargers most explosive run plays from the 2024 season came when running behind the left side of the line.
With how good Alt and Slater performed in 2024, it should be an emphasis to have them be the long term bookend tackles. Alt will be playing on a rookie contract for at least three more seasons, so extending Slater to a long-term, expensive contract should not be a problem. Harbaugh and Hortiz have preached that offensive lineman will love to play in Greg Roman’s system. So far, this has been evident with the offensive linemen signings they have made this year. Although, it is time to appreciate their value even more and lock up one of the best for years to come. The last thing Charger fans want is seeing the best left tackle in the league head into the 2025 season on his final year of his deal and enter the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
