Rashawn Slater has ‘full confidence' contract extension with Chargers will get done

New York Times

20 hours ago

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Rashawn Slater is back at The Bolt, and the Los Angeles Chargers' star left tackle attempted to quell some anxiety as the team wrapped up minicamp Thursday.
Slater and the Chargers remain in contract extension negotiations. Slater was conspicuously absent from voluntary organized team activities earlier this offseason. But he returned to the team Monday. He has participated fully in all three days of mandatory minicamp this week. And on Thursday, speaking with local media for the first time since last season ended, Slater said he has 'full confidence' that a deal will get done before the start of the regular season.
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'I have no concern about it at all,' Slater said. 'Realistically speaking, I've known for a long time this is how these things go. It's not something that bothers me. It's just the business of football.'
Slater opted to stay in Dallas during OTAs to train with offensive line coach Duke Manyweather, who Slater has been working with since the pre-draft process in 2021. In years past, Slater has worked out with Manyweather during the winter months before joining the team for the voluntary offseason program. This year was different. Slater said he was 'just prioritizing, always, my training.'
'That's really kind of been my thing since Day 1,' Slater said. 'My agent has been handling all (the contract negotiations) for me, so it's been pretty low stress. I'm not really super concerned about it. Just prioritizing getting right and trying to be the best player I can be.'
Slater is in the final year of his contract, the fifth-year option of his rookie deal the Chargers picked up in May 2024. He is due to make $19.04 million on that fifth-year option. A market-rate extension could pay Slater upwards of $28 million in average annual value.
When asked if he would play the 2025 season on his fifth-year option, Slater said he would 'cross (that bridge) when we get there.'
Deadlines force deals. The next big deadline on the NFL calendar is the start of training camp. July 16 is report day for the Chargers this year. Slater was asked if he would participate in training camp if a deal is not done by then.
'To be honest with you, I'm just going to continue training,' Slater said. 'I haven't really thought that far ahead. But obviously my intention is to play this year.'
He added: 'My agent, obviously, is having those conversations on my behalf. So for me, I'm just focused on training, and whatever happens happens.'
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Slater could have skipped mandatory minicamp to make a statement. The Chargers would have then been eligible to fine Slater up to $104,768 if he missed all three days. That, of course, did not happen, which is a positive sign for the negotiations.
'This is my team,' Slater said. 'I'm under contract. I don't want to miss any time. I love being here. So yeah, (this) is just important. This is what we do, and I love these guys. I wouldn't miss that. Pretty simple.'
The Chargers held a much shorter session on the final day of minicamp Thursday. The practice only lasted about an hour. As such, there was not a ton of action. But the Chargers did have a pretty spirited seven-on-seven red zone period with some notable highlight plays.
Safety Derwin James Jr. had the play of the day for either side of the ball. He was lined up at nickel — his primary position over the past three days — and was on coverage on slot receiver Willie Snead, who was in camp this week as a veteran tryout player. Snead ran a vertical route down the seam. James matched him.
Quarterback Trey Lance tried to fit a throw over James. But James was in perfect position. He reached up his right arm, tipped the ball in the air and made an acrobatic, juggling catch on his shoulder for the interception.
dj w the INT pic.twitter.com/BgVxc2EKZf
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 12, 2025
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw three touchdowns in 11 reps. The first touchdown went to receiver Quentin Johnston from 8 yards out. Johnston found a soft spot in the defense's zone coverage after a double move. He made the grab in the back corner of the end zone.
On the final two plays of the seven-on-seven period, Herbert threw back-to-back touchdowns to receiver Ladd McConkey. On the first, McConkey faked a route to the corner before cutting back inside to the middle of the end zone. Herbert timed the throw well. McConkey was wide open after a deceptive cut. On the next play, McConkey cut inside on a slant route, and Herbert fit a low throw in between linebacker Daiyan Henley and safety Tony Jefferson. Henley claimed after practice that McConkey did not secure the catch. I had a good look at the play and beg to differ.
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Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden had another explosive reception, separating on a corner route before hauling in the throw from quarterback Taylor Heinicke off play action. Gadsen had a drop later in the seven-on-seven period after Herbert escaped left and tried to dump off to his tight end along the sideline.
During the 11-on-11 period, rookie receiver Tre Harris had a strong rep when he won on a dig route and Heinicke hit him in stride.
Rookie cornerback Jordan Oladokun had an interception during 11-on-11. Rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei tried to throw underneath to fullback Scott Matlock. The throw went over Matlock's head. Oladokun was waiting to secure the pick.
• Not on the field for Thursday's practice: safety Elijah Molden, cornerback Deane Leonard, safety Jaylen Jones, receiver Jaylen Johnson, offensive lineman Savion Washington, receiver Mike Williams, receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe. Defensive back Nikko Reed, tight end Jordan Petaia and receiver Luke Grimm worked off to the side. Offensive linemen Trey Pipkins III and Jamaree Salyer did not participate in team drills. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects all these players sitting out with ailments to be ready for the start of training camp.
• Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson swapped again at left guard and center. Johnson worked at center on Tuesday before switching to left guard Wednesday. Bozeman worked at left guard Tuesday before switching to center Wednesday. Johnson was back at center for Thursday's 11-on-11 drills, while Bozeman was at left guard.