The Los Angeles Chargers have serious salary cap issues and might have no choice but to trade veteran pass rushers Khalil Mack and/or Joey Bosa. As of this posting, the Chargers are in the worst cap situation in the game, currently sitting $20.5 million over the allotted number. The league year officially starts on March 13th, which means the team has three days to clear out all that money and become salary cap compliant.
There are a few ways to get this done. While releasing Mike Williams remains the most likely option, the team could also trade veteran pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Mack is coming off a dominant 17-sack season, but the 10-year veteran is entering his age-33 season and carries a $38.5 million cap hit. Bosa, meanwhile, has only played in a combined 14 games over the past two seasons and is set to carry a $36.6 million cap hit in 2024.
Cash-Desperate Chargers Looking to Trade Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa
The Chargers actions will heavily depend on how much salary cap space they want to create. If their goal is just to get under the cap, they don’t need to trade Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa. Releasing Mike Williams would clear up $20 million, and a few minor transactions clear the additional $500,000 needed to get under the cap.
However, if the Chargers want to do something in free agency, they’ll need to trade either Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa. While Mack was the better player last year, he’s also older, and moving on from him saves $23.25 million. Bosa, meanwhile, has struggled to stay healthy, and parting ways with him saves the Chargers $14.3 million in 2024 and gets rid of his $32.9 million cap hit in 2025.
Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are good pass rushers, but it’s hard to envision the Chargers getting a large return for either player in a trade. For one, both players are paid well beyond their actual impact on the game and carry a decent amount of risk. Mack can’t possibly have much left in his tank, while Bosa needs to prove he can stay on the field. Additionally, the Chargers will probably cut one of these players if they can’t find a trade partner, so why would any team give up a pick for a player they can just sign as a free agent?
Whether it’s by release or trade, at least one of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa will be playing somewhere else next year. While neither guy is worth their current cap hits, several teams should be interested in bringing them aboard and bolstering the pass rush.
Best Team Fits
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears found one above-average pass rusher in the Montez Sweat trade, and they could complement him with either Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa. With over $63.5 million in cap space and a brand new quarterback on a rookie contract, this team can afford to spend up for good players on bloated contracts. The NFC North has quickly become one of the better divisions in football, and Chicago will need a pass rush to slow down Jared Goff and Jordan Love.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans championship window is starting to crack open. With C.J. Stroud proving himself to be the real deal and Will Anderson providing a consistent pass rush, the Texans have the foundation to compete for a title. Now, they just need to complement these youngsters with experienced veterans. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are both fine trade targets, as either one is more than capable of forming one of the best pass rush duos in the league.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions need more than Aidan Hutchinson to make it to the Super Bowl. The former second-overall pick is a remarkable talent, but he can’t power this defense by himself. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are more than capable of being the second-best edge rusher on a Super Bowl contender, and getting one of these guys via trade will solve the biggest issue on this roster.
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby is one of the best edge defenders in football, but the Raiders don’t have anyone else of note on the roster. After sharing a division with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, head coach Antonio Pierce has firsthand knowledge of what these two could bring in a trade. The team went 5-4 last year under Pierce, and that was with Aidan O’Connell under center. With a better quarterback and an improved pass rush, this team could push for a Wild Card spot in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars probably wish they could redo the Travon Walker selection. The former first-overall pick has yet to play up to his draft capital, leaving Josh Allen as the only viable threat on this defense. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa both have their red flags, but either would be a clear upgrade in a trade. After letting the division slip away in 2023, this team needs to make sure the same thing won’t happen again in 2024.
Main Photo: Brad Penner – USA Today Sports
