Justin Herbert has been among the best quarterbacks in the NFL since the Los Angeles Chargers selected him sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has thrown for 21,093 yards, 137 touchdowns, and 45 interceptions while completing 66.5% of his pass attempts. He has also added 1,217 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 293 carries.
The Chargers have reached the playoffs just twice in his five-year career and have failed to win a postseason game. Since drafting Herbert, they have looked to fortify the offense, using their first-round pick on either an offensive lineman or skill position player in each of the five years since.
The first of those picks was offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who has since earned two Pro Bowl selections and made one All-Pro team. Los Angeles signed him to a record-breaking extension on Sunday, leading his star quarterback to react.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert Reacts to LT Rashawn Slater’s Record-Breaking Extension
Slater has been responsible for protecting Herbert’s blindside over the past four seasons. While he has missed 17 of a possible 68 games, he has been very productive when healthy. The star left tackle was rewarded with a record-breaking extension. Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news, tweeting:
“ESPN sources: Chargers and left tackle Rashawn Slater reached agreement today on a four-year, $114 million contract extension that includes a record $92 million guaranteed and now makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Deal was negotiated between @CAA_football and the Chargers’ front office in recent weeks.”
ESPN sources: Chargers and left tackle Rashawn Slater reached agreement today on a four-year, $114 million contract extension that includes a record $92 million guaranteed and now makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Deal was negotiated between… pic.twitter.com/nSWKfIW7DP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025
Herbert shared a simple one-word reaction to the news, stating:
“LFG!!”
It is no surprise that the Chargers’ star quarterback is thrilled that his blindside protector will remain with the team for the foreseeable future. Slater allowed just three sacks in 2024. His 1.0% sack rate was the seventh-lowest among tackles who played at least 400 plays as a pass blocker, while his 7.8% pressure rate was the sixth-lowest.
He finished the year with a 91.1 PFF grade, ranking second among all tackles. His 90.4 pass-blocking grade ranked third, while his 82.8 run-blocking grade ranked fifth. His new deal ensures that he will remain in Los Angeles, protecting Herbert for at least the next half-decade.
It’ll be fun to see how they perform in Jim Harbaugh’s second year at the helm.
