Latest news with #offensiveline
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
L.A. Chargers Do Right By Signing Star Left Tackle Rayshawn Slater
AFC left tackle Rayshawn Slater of the Los Angeles Chargers (70) shows his skills during a Pro Bowl ... More game. Slater and the Chargers agreed to a massive multi-year contract to keep the standout blocker in the fold. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) The Los Angeles Chargers scored their biggest win of the summer by signing left tackle Rayshawn Slater to a massive contract extension. Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler who's tasked in protecting quarterback Justin Herbert's blindside, is collecting $92 million in guarantee money on his four-year, $114 million pact. With right tackle Joe Alt excelling in his rookie year last season, the Chargers are set at the offensive line's two most critical spots for years to come. According to several player-contract web sites, Slater, 26, becomes the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman with his annual compensation pegged at $28.5 million. With a longer deal in place, Slater's salary cap number for this season decreases from $19 million to $14.8 million. The new deal blows away the $19 million Slater, a former first-round pick, was scheduled to earn on his fifth-year rookie contract option season. Slater had an immediate impact, becoming a starter in his first game and he earned his first Pro Bowl honor and was also a second-team All-Pro selection. Slater has battled injuries, especially a torn biceps tendon, which restricted him to three games in 2022. But he's also played when less than 100 percent, which goes a long way with the Chargers physical, tough-guy persona they embrace. Slater continues to improve with age and statistics provided by Pro Football Focus regarding his play last season prove it. His grade sheet revealed, that among tackles, he was ranked second overall, third in pass blocking and fifth in run blocking. A foot injury has slowed him during camp, as the Chargers prepare for the Hall of Fame game against the Detroit Lions on July 31. Slater, as well as most of the other L.A. starters, aren't expected to play in the first of its four preseason games. Los Angeles Chargers right tackle Joe Alt (76) looks on during a recent practice at training camp. ... More With the signing of left tackle Rayshawn Slater, the Chargers' have two top-notch tackles for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy) The combo of Slater and Alt on the edges is a huge boost for a Chargers team that enters year two of coach Jim Harbaugh's stint, with hopes for a deep playoff run. Slater is now tied to the Chargers through 2029 and Alt's deal could extend to 2028 if the Chargers trigger his fifth-year option. Although talks between Slater and the Chargers lost momentum at times, Slater never envisioned a deal not getting done. 'I have no concern about it at all,'' he said during the team's spring minicamp sessions. '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.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tyler Guyton helped off field at Cowboys practice
The Cowboys saw a starting offensive lineman helped off the practice field at training camp on Monday. Left tackle Tyler Guyton needed medical attention late in the session and went to the locker room with members of the training staff. There's no word from the team about the nature of the injury, but reporters at the practice say that Guyton got rolled up during a passing play. Guyton is in his second season with the Cowboys. The 2024 first-round pick started 11 of the 15 games he played as a rookie. Asim Richards, Hakeem Adenjii, Matt Waletzko, and sixth-round pick Ajani Cornelius are backup options behind Guyton and right tackle Terence Steele.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 3 is left guard Joe Thuney, who will be a key role in shoring up Chicago's offensive line and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Background Position: Left guard Age: 32 Experience: 10th season 2025 cap hit: $8 million 2024 recap Thuney has established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he showcased why last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Thuney started all 17 games for the Chiefs. While he played primarily at left guard, he kicked over to left tackle for three contests as Kansas City dealt with injuries along the offensive line. Thuney once again served as key protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs once again made a Super Bowl appearance. Thuney was named to the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro nod for his 2024 outing. 2025 outlook The Bears focused on overhauling the offensive line this offseason, including the additions of guard Jonah Jackson (via trade) and center Drew Dalman (in free agency). But their biggest addition was Thuney, who was acquired in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Shortly after, Chicago signed him to a two-year, $35 million deal to keep him through 2027. Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. The Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Thuney will play an integral role in the offensive line's success. Big question: Can Thuney continue to be a top NFL guard in Chicago? The Bears invested a lot in Thuney -- a fourth round pick in 2026 and $33.5 million guaranteed -- so they're banking on him to serve an integral role along the offensive line. Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. But the question remains whether Thuney will continue that level of play outside of a winning organization like Kansas City. Chicago overhauled the entire interior offensive line, and Thuney will serve as an anchor in the trenches when it comes to protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - DE Montez Sweat #7 - C Drew Dalman #6 - CB Jaylon Johnson #5 - WR Rome Odunze #4 - DC Dennis Allen #3 - LG Joe Thuney #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs' Baker Mayfield finds 'silver lining' in Bucs OL situation during camp
For most quarterbacks, starting training camp without their full offensive line intact might sound like a setback. But Baker Mayfield sees opportunity in adversity, and he's making sure his teammates do too. Mayfield spoke about the Bucs' offensive line situation, saying, 'When you think about it that way, there is a silver lining, they are getting reps together as the starting five as of right now. They are getting reps together communication wise. With that unit, the more they get chemistry, the more they get going together, the better it's going to be. So yeah, it is good that they are getting reps, potentially not the best reason why, but it's a great day one in training camp to do it.' While it's still unclear whether this version of the offensive line will hold once the season starts, the current group is gaining valuable reps early, timing, communication, and trust. For Mayfield, that chemistry may matter more than names on a depth chart. Last year, the Bucs struggled with injuries and rotations along the line with both Wirfs and Goedeke suffering a concussion that knocked him out a month. This year, Mayfield wants to turn uncertainty into cohesion. It's a mentality he's carried since his college days: control what you can and build from the inside out. Mayfield continues to grow into his role as the team's emotional engine. Rather than express frustration about missing pieces, he's putting a spotlight on the players who are there and the work they're putting in. His perspective echoes what teammates and coaches have praised him for since arriving in Tampa: his presence in the locker room, his command in the huddle, and the ability to rally his teammates regardless of the circumstances. That kind of chemistry may pay dividends when the pads are on and the bullets are flying in September. This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield finds 'silver lining' in Bucs OL situation during camp
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to ride Titans' upside in futures market
Jay Croucher assesses the Tennessee Titans' ceiling with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center and how a fortified offensive line and head coach Brian Callahan gives the team "upside" in the futures market.
