Los Angeles Chargers offensive sort out Rashawn Slater was carted off the follow discipline on Thursday afternoon with what turned out to be a major damage. In line with ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the two-time Professional Bowler suffered a season-ending knee damage.
It is a large blow to the group’s offensive line and offense as a complete.
It additionally serves as a harsh reminder as to why gamers will at all times — and may at all times — act on the facet of warning relating to collaborating in coaching camp when they’re looking for 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 damage occurred. That contract was signed after he didn’t take part in a number of the group’s early training-camp follow classes. If Slater had participated early on and had this damage occur earlier than he was in a position to 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 is no such thing as a assure he would have ever obtained that type of contract sooner or later.
Followers won’t like the thought of a hold-out or hold-in, however you need to have 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 method just isn’t solely a approach to put stress 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 at all times going to be part of that. However accidents occur with a lot larger frequency early within the season, and particularly in coaching camp, on account of the truth that gamers are nonetheless working their manner again into sport form and going by extra intense and bodily practices than they do at any level in the course of the season.
It is a harmful time for them by way of accidents, and that shouldn’t be missed relating to contract talks.
Gamers have brief careers and even much less time to set themselves up financially. They shouldn’t be prepared to take pointless dangers relating to their incomes energy. The Slater state of affairs reveals simply how delicate all of it’s.
