Report: Chargers Open to Trading Two Pro Bowl Defensive Players
Los Angeles could make two of the NFL’s premier sack artists available ahead of free agency.
The Los Angeles Chargers likely expect to compete in 2024, with one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and an accomplished new coach in Jim Harbaugh.
If they do, it may be with a very different-looking defense, based on a new report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The NFL insider says that the franchise is open to trading “many veteran players,” specifically pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Per Russini, teams are interested, but may wait to see whether the Chargers opt to cut the two big-name players, making them available in free agency.
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Both would be fairly surprising moves, especially when it comes to Bosa—a four-time Pro Bowler in his eight years in Los Angeles. Injuries have hampered him in recent seasons, however, limiting him to 14 games over the last two seasons. He was productive when he saw the field in ’23, recording 6.5 sacks in nine games.
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Bosa is set to earn a base salary of $15 million in 2024, and will cash a roster bonus of $7 million if he remains with the team on March 15. His five-year, $135 million deal runs through 2025.
Mack, a former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Pro honoree, joined the Chargers in 2022. Unlike Bosa, he’s healthy the last two years, playing in all 34 of the team’s games. After an eight-sack campaign in ’22, he recorded a career-high 17 sacks in ’23, during his age-32 season.
Mack will make $17.55 million in base salary and is due a $5.5 million roster bonus on March 15. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.