The Los Angeles Chargers suddenly have a massive hole to fill along the front seven.
Los Angeles released Joey Bosa before NFL free agency began, before committing to bring veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack back for one more season. However, as the first week of free agency winds down, the Chargers have a major void opposite Mack in the front-seven.
Given that teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and perhaps even the Denver Broncos might stand in the Chargers’ way of making a Super Bowl run out of the AFC, adding a potentially dominant pass rusher opposite Mack to counteract the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Bo Nix is suddenly a pressing need.
Could the Los Angeles Chargers Trade for Trey Hendrickson?
After moving on from Bosa, the Chargers may be able to add a significant upgrade with a blockbuster trade.
ProFootballRumors suggests that Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who was granted permission to seek a trade, could be a perfect fit in Los Angeles. Logan Ulrich suggests the Chargers could land Hendrickson in exchange for a second-round pick, No. 55 overall this spring.
“Perhaps that’s just how GM Joe Hortiz wants to operate,” Logan Ulrich writes for ProFootballRumors. “Given his background with the Ravens’ front office. Or perhaps the Chargers were keeping their powder dry for a big move at a premium position — like trading for Hendrickson and signing him to a big deal.
“Los Angeles’ need for an edge rusher is lessened by bringing back Mack to pair up with Tuli Tuipulotu, an ascending younger player. But the theme of the year seems to be that an NFL team can never have too many pass rushers. The Chargers are chasing the Chiefs in the AFC West and surely took note of how the Eagles were able to beat them. Adding Hendrickson would be an attempt to copy that model.”
Hendrickson would be an immediate top-of-the-depth-chart starter for the Chargers, and the kind of player who could elevate the rest of the defense.
Last season, the 30-year-old Hendrickson posted 17.5 sacks for the second consecutive year.
For the cost of a mere second-round pick, the Chargers could look to land a true difference-maker at a premium position, and Hendrickson could make a major impact.
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