Los Angeles Chargers offensive deal with Rashawn Slater was carted off the apply subject on Thursday afternoon with what turned out to be a big harm. Based on ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the two-time Professional Bowler suffered a season-ending knee harm.
It is a large blow to the group’s offensive line and offense as an entire.
It additionally serves as a harsh reminder as to why gamers will all the time — and may all the time — act on the facet of warning on the subject of collaborating 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 few of the group’s early training-camp apply periods. If Slater had participated early on and had this harm occur earlier than he was capable of get his new deal signed, it might 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 a assure he would have ever acquired that form of contract sooner or later.
Followers may not like the concept of a hold-out or hold-in, however you must take a look at it from the attitude of the participant. They’ve a really restricted time to earn high greenback within the NFL, and there are by no means any ensures.
The hold-out/hold-in strategy isn’t solely a option to put strain on the group to pay them, but it surely’s additionally a matter of self-preservation. Soccer is a violent sport. It is a bodily sport. It is a collision sport. Accidents are all the time going to be part of that. However accidents occur with a lot better frequency early within the season, and especially in training camp, attributable to 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 throughout the season.
It is a harmful time for them by way of accidents, and that shouldn’t be neglected on the subject of contract talks.
Gamers have quick careers and even much less time to set themselves up financially. They shouldn’t be prepared to take pointless dangers on the subject of their incomes energy. The Slater scenario reveals simply how delicate all of it’s.
