Los Angeles Chargers offensive deal with Rashawn Slater was carted off the apply discipline on Thursday afternoon with what turned out to be a major harm. In keeping with ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the two-time Professional Bowler suffered a season-ending knee harm.
It is a huge blow to the crew’s offensive line and offense as an entire.
It additionally serves as a harsh reminder as to why gamers will at all times — and may at all times — act on the aspect of warning in terms of taking part in coaching camp when they’re in search of a brand new contract.
In Slater’s case, he is a fortunate one as a result of he simply agreed to a brand new four-year, $114 million contract extension with $92 million in ensures days earlier than the harm occurred. That contract was signed after he didn’t take part in a number of the crew’s early training-camp apply classes. If Slater had participated early on and had this harm occur earlier than he was capable of get his new deal signed, it will have been a devastating blow in his quest to get that pay day. Not solely would the Chargers have had no incentive to pay him this season, however there isn’t any assure he would have ever acquired that kind of contract sooner or later.
Followers may not like the thought of a hold-out or hold-in, however you must have a look at it from the attitude of the participant. They’ve a really restricted time to earn prime greenback within the NFL, and there are by no means any ensures.
The hold-out/hold-in method just isn’t solely a strategy to put stress on the crew to pay them, however it’s additionally a matter of self-preservation. Soccer is a violent sport. It is a bodily sport. It is a collision sport. Accidents are at all times going to be part of that. However accidents occur with a lot larger frequency early within the season, and especially in training camp, resulting from the truth that gamers are nonetheless working their means again into sport form and going via extra intense and bodily practices than they do at any level through the season.
It is a harmful time for them by way of accidents, and that shouldn’t be missed in terms of contract talks.
Gamers have quick careers and even much less time to set themselves up financially. They shouldn’t be keen to take pointless dangers in terms of their incomes energy. The Slater scenario reveals simply how delicate all of it’s.
