The past few days have seen the NFL’s preseason get underway along with a number of high-profile developments. In case you missed the top stories from this week, here is a quick recap:
- Slater Signs Record-Breaking Chargers Extension: The left tackle (and thus offensive line) market has a new leader from a financial standpoint. Rashawn Slater inked a Chargers extension which is worth $114MM over four years. The pact carries an annual average value of $28.5MM, which surpasses the figure from Penei Sewell and Tristan Wirfs‘ 2024 deals. $92MM in guarantees are present, and Slater, 26, will receive a record-breaking cashflow for O-linemen over one, two and four years while playing out this accord (which keeps him on the books through 2029). Slater earned a second Pro Bowl nod in 2024, and he will be counted on to remain an anchor up front for Los Angeles through the foreseeable future on this contract.
- Allen, Sutton Land New Broncos Deals: Defensive lineman Zach Allen and wideout Courtland Sutton have long loomed as two of the Broncos’ top extension candidates this offseason. Within a matter of days, both have new deals in place. Allen will collect $44.25MM fully guaranteed on his new, four-year pact. The former Cardinal earned second-team All-Pro acclaim with a career-best 8.5 sacks last season, and he has been rewarded with a $102MM accord. Sutton, meanwhile, will continue his lengthy Denver tenure thanks to a four-year, $92MM extension. The 29-year-old will receive $27MM in new guaranteed money and he is on the books through 2029 to reprise his role as the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver.
- Parsons, McLaurin Submit Trade Requests: This time of the year always contains drama associated with extension talks (particularly those which do not go smoothly). Micah Parsons (Cowboys) and Terry McLaurin (Commanders) have been embroiled in negotiations which have yet to produce a deal, and both have issued a trade request as a result. Such a move is commonplace amongst players looking to increase pressure on their teams to finalize a new pact, and in both cases consideration is not being given to a trade. Parsons is a strong candidate to reset the edge rush market – which would require a pact averaging more than $41MM per year on his second contract. McLaurin, meanwhile, is reported to be seeking a third Washington pact with an AAV at or around $33MM. Both players are pending 2026 free agents.
- Seahawks To Extend Schneider: The 2024 season was the first in which John Schneider had final say on roster moves for the Seahawks. Seattle was unable to reach the playoffs to begin the post-Pete Carroll era, but coming off a 10-win campaign and a busy offseason Schneider has agreed to an extension which keeps him in place through 2030. The 15-year GM’s resume includes the Seahawks’ lone Super Bowl title, and he will be expected to engineer future contenders as the organization’s top decision-maker. As head coach Mike Macdonald prepares for Year 2 in his position, Schneider will enter the campaign with a lengthy track record as well as long-term security.
- Colts, Raimann Agree To Extension: Talks on a new deal between Bernhard Raimann and the Colts left a gap between the parties at first. Common ground was reached with time to spare for the start of the season, however. Indianapolis’ left tackle landed a four-year, $100MM extension including $60MM in guarantees. The 27-year-old Austrian has handled blindside duties for nearly all of his three-year career so far, and remaining one of the top blockers in the league will be critical for the team’s O-line. A free agent departure next spring would have left a major vacancy up front for the Colts, but Raimann is now on the books for the foreseeable future.