The Los Angeles Chargers took care of the biggest bit of business facing the team this offseason by signing left tackle Rashawn Slater to a four-year, $114 million contract extension with $92 million guaranteed. The deal makes Slater the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Chargers fans knew this deal was eventually coming, but it's nice to have it out of the way. Slater has earned this deal and he can now focus on taking his spot at left tackle, protecting Justin Herbert's blind side, and teaming with Joe Alt to form what very well may be the best offensive tackle combination in the league.
Aside from getting one of the best players on the team under contract for the next several seasons, this deal did something that will likely slide under the radar. It created a cool $14.2 million in additional cap space for the team.
According to Over The Cap, Rashawn Slater's extension creates $14.296 million in cap space in 2025.
— Jason Reed (@EatYourReedies) July 27, 2025
Who should the #Chargers sign to a one-year deal with that money? 👀 pic.twitter.com/hTYhcCYxLJ
The Chargers could actually make multiple moves with that savings, but the one that makes the most sense would be to add an experienced hand to the wide receiver room. After the retirement of Mike Williams, the Chargers are lacking in that department.
Chargers wide receiver depth chart
| Player | Age | NFL seasons |
| Ladd McConkey | 23 | 1 |
| Quentin Johnston | 23 | 2 |
| Tre Harris | 23 | 0 |
| Derius Davis | 24 | 2 |
| Jalen Reagor | 26 | 5 |
| KeAndre Lambert-Smith | 23 | 0 |
| Brenden Rice | 23 | 1 |
| Jaylen Johnson | 25 | 1 |
| Dez Fitzpatrick | 27 | 4 |
| Luke Grimm | 23 | 0 |
| Dalevon Campbell | 23 | 0 |
It already seemed like a no-brainer to bring Keenan Allen back into the fold, but with the Chargers getting this extra surplus in cap space, it's a low-risk move that could pay off big time. Allen is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams and is likely listening to and mulling over more than one offer. It remains unknown if the Chargers want Allen back or if he would even want to come back, but it seems like the best move for both sides.
READ: Major free-agent addition still remains available for Chargers
Bringing Allen back would only help Herbert by having a familiar target to throw to and putting him in the mix with the exciting McConkey and the growing group of young receivers on the roster makes sense. In fact, if the Chargers are going to add a veteran wide receiver before the season starts, Allen is far and away the best option for them.
The team needs to do what it can to make it happen.
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