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Report: Patriots could target Chargers trade candidates this offseason
The Chargers' cap woes could see them move on from Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
If the Patriots aren’t able to add star talent to their roster through free agency, New England could find an appealing trade partner this offseason in the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Patriots currently hold the most cap space in the NFL at $78,906,356, according to OverTheCap. The Chargers aren’t as fortunate, with Los Angeles currently $25 million over the cap at this stage of the offseason.
With Los Angeles needing to be cap compliant before the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 4 p.m., the Chargers might need to trade/cut at least one or two star players on their roster — with possible candidates including wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams; or pass-rushers like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
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According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the Patriots have “checked in” with the Chargers on those potential trade/cut candidates this week.
If New England is unable to sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, turning to the Chargers stands as a solid contingency plan.
Allen might turn 32 next month, but he’s been one of the most consistent pass-catchers in the NFL over the past decade. He has reeled in at least 1,000 receiving yards six times in his 11 years with the Chargers and finished the 2023 season with 108 catches, 1,243 yards, and seven touchdowns in just 13 games.
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Williams, 29, missed most of the 2023 season with a torn ACL. The Clemson product has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in two of his seven seasons with the Chargers and recorded 249 yards in just three games before suffering his knee injury.
Even though New England reportedly re-upped Josh Uche on a one-year contract Tuesday, adding a player like Mack or Bosa would fall in line with a Boston Herald report that the Patriots are targeting “at least one elite defender” this offseason.
Mack, 33, is still one of the more feared pass-rushers in the NFL. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year recorded 17 sacks last season with the Chargers.
Bosa, 28, has been hampered by injuries over the last few years — appearing in just 14 total games since the start of the 2022 season. But Bosa does have 67 career sacks over 93 games with the Chargers.
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