Chargers Stars Bosa & Mack Generate Trade Buzz

Blockbuster trades could be on the horizon for the Los Angeles Chargers as they look to get under the salary cap before the new league year begins. According to reports, star edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack have garnered significant trade interest from other teams around the NFL.

The Chargers currently find themselves in a difficult salary cap situation, sitting over $20 million above the cap limit. With massive cap hits of $36.6 million for Bosa and $38.5 million for Mack, moving one or both of their elite pass rushers could provide the financial relief Los Angeles desperately needs.

However, the prospect of trading away players of Bosa and Mack’s caliber is a tough pill to swallow for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Bosa, the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been a force for the Chargers since being drafted third overall, racking up 67 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries across 93 games.

Meanwhile, Mack has thrived since arriving in LA from the Chicago Bears last year, recording an impressive 25 sacks over the past two seasons despite being in the latter stages of his career at 33 years old.

For teams inquiring about Bosa and Mack’s services, the potential rewards could outweigh the hefty costs required to acquire them. Elite edge rushers are among the most coveted commodities in today’s pass-happy NFL, and both players have proven themselves capable of wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks when healthy.

The caveat with Bosa, however, is his recent injury history. The 28-year-old missed significant time in 2022 due to a groin issue that required surgery, appearing in just seven regular season games. His postseason was also marred by controversy after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he received aided the Jacksonville Jaguars’ historic 27-point comeback victory over the Chargers.

In contrast, Mack has been the picture of durability, suiting up for every game since joining the Chargers thanks to his diligent work ethic and commitment to conditioning.

As the Chargers weigh their options, they’ll need to decide whether keeping their fearsome pass rush duo intact is worth the financial constraints it places on the rest of the roster. Teams hoping to pounce on Bosa or Mack will be lining up with their best offers, setting the stage for what could be a wild ride once the new league year officially kicks off.

With tough decisions looming, one thing is certain: the fates of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack will be two of the biggest storylines to monitor as the NFL’s offseason drama unfolds over the coming weeks and months.