Matt Slauson did not stop for a roadside meal. His wife packed him protein bars, trail mix, beef jerky and Goldfish crackers. He did not stay in a hotel. From Nebraska, he and a friend were on the road for 24 hours, a period during which Slauson was asleep for one. The entire commute from northeast Illinois to San Diego spanned 31 hours, covered more than 2,100 miles and consumed an exorbitant amount of fuel in a gray 2014 Ford F-250 Diesel.

That lifted truck, its large wheels, were parked Monday at the Chargers’ team facility.

The Land of Opportunity.


The veteran center arrived in San Diego on Saturday morning. Come Monday, he was squatting in a three-point stance between guards Orlando Franklin and D.J. Fluker, snapping to quarterback Philip Rivers as part of the first-team offense in spring workouts. Slauson’s two-year contract officially was processed Monday, nine days after he agreed to it. His destination seems worth the trip.

Slauson could have arrived a week ago.

He requested the week to stay home and help his wife — she is seven months pregnant — pack for their move to California. Coach Mike McCoy and the front office supported the delayed arrival.

1 / 30 San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 2 / 30 San Diego Chargers Branden Oliver works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 3 / 30 San Diego Chargers fullback Derek Watt works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 4 / 30 San Diego Chargers Dontrelle Inman, left, and Danny Woodhead work out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 5 / 30 San Diego Chargers Darrell Stuckey works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 6 / 30 San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt looks on during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 7 / 30 San Diego Chargers center Matt Slauson works out for the first time with the team, in front of quarterback Philip Rivers. (K.C. Alfred) 8 / 30 San Diego Chargers safety Jahleel Addae works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 9 / 30 San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers works out during a spring practice. (K.C. Alfred) 10 / 30 San Diego Chargers center Matt Slauson works out for the first time with the team. (K.C. Alfred) 11 / 30 San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 12 / 30 San Diego Chargers quarterbacks Bryn Renner, left, Kellen Clemens, and Philip Rivers work out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 13 / 30 San Diego Chargers Keenan Allen makes a catch during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 14 / 30 San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin leaves the field after an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 15 / 30 San Diego Chargers Danny Woodhead works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 16 / 30 San Diego Chargers wide receiver Javontee Herndon makes a catch during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 17 / 30 he San Diego Chargers offense runs a play during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 18 / 30 he San Diego Chargers offense runs a play during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 19 / 30 San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordonl works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 20 / 30 San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 21 / 30 San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 22 / 30 San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 23 / 30 San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon works out during an offseason practice. (K.C. Alfred) 24 / 30 Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers talks the media after the first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 25 / 30 Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers talks the media after the first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 26 / 30 Chargers Jason Verrett walks out to team’s first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 27 / 30 Chargers, Jason Verrett, left, Matt Daniels, and Darrell Stuckey work out with a medicine ball during the team’s first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 28 / 30 Chargers Jason Verrett works out with a medicine ball during the team’s first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 29 / 30 Chargers Jahleel Addae walks out to the team’s first offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred) 30 / 30 Chargers Brandon Mebane gets a drink of water during an offseason workout. (K.C. Alfred)


Slauson could have flown. He drove because of his other baby.

“I love my truck,” said Slauson, who spent the past three seasons with the Bears before being released this month. “I wanted my truck here. I could have had it shipped, but then I’d be without it for a week, and I don’t know how much that would cost to get a big truck shipped. I thought, ‘I’ll just drive.’ ...

“We drove all the way through Illinois, all the way across Iowa, all the way across Nebraska, all the way across Colorado to Utah. You get halfway through Utah and then you turn south. You go through the very corner of Arizona and down to Nevada, down through Vegas, and then over to L.A. and here.”

Here, a chance to start awaits.


Slauson started 16 games last season, 12 of them at guard and the other four at center. The latter prepared him for this situation, as the 30-year-old has been given the keys to the Chargers’ job. He offers a veteran presence at the position and a healthy one at that. Rookie third-round pick Max Tuerk and veterans Chris Watt and Trevor Robinson are all rehabbing injuries dating back to last season.

After an NFL-low 3.5 yards per carry, the Chargers look to improve their rushing offense this year.

Slauson believes he can help with that.

“I like to think that I can do it all, but I would definitely say running game is more of what I do best,” Slauson said. “I’ve been in every system. I’ve been in zone systems, power systems, gap stuff ... and had success in them all. But I just think bringing my experience in, I like playing the game in a certain way. I like playing it very physical. I’m going to do whatever I can to make this team better.”


He didn’t come all this way for nothing.