Report: Chargers to pick up fifth-year option of LT Rashawn Slater

The Los Angeles Chargers are picking up the fifth-year option on left tackle Rashawn Slater, ESPN reported Saturday.

Slater was the No. 13 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chargers, who used the No. 5 overall pick on Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt in this year's draft on Thursday.

Alt is expected to move to right tackle.

Since his hiring this offseason, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has emphasized the need to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.

"First of all, the quarterback that we have, protect him, protect his environment on the field," Harbaugh said Feb. 1 at his introductory news conference. "Protect him. Also, beef up the run game."

Slater will play the final season of his four-year, $16.63 million rookie deal in 2024, and he is slated to earn $19 million next season. If he doesn't sign a contract extension, Slater could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.