Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert (9) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
According to Pro Football Focus, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers could agree on a Khalil Mack trade.
Every team hopes to lift the Lombardi Trophy in 2024, but each company will take a slightly different road to accomplish that goal. The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, are far above the salary cap and need to cut several experienced players. The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, have plenty of money to spend and need to improve their nearly non-existent pass rush. These two necessities might combine to form a Khalil Mack trade.
At least, that’s what Brad Speilberger of Pro Football Focus recently said. In his most recent post, the NFL analyst advised that the Chargers sell Khalil Mack to the Lions to save money and gain an extra 2025 fourth-round pick.
“This will be a tough needle to thread, much like DeAndre Hopkins last offseason, with the Arizona Cardinals eventually having to just release the veteran wideout despite other teams’ clear interest in his services…”Mack’s 2024 contract is expensive for a 33-year-old edge defender, especially one coming off a successful season like Mack’s 2023 campaign.”
The proposed Khalil Mack trade between the Chargers and Lions raises the question of whether both teams would agree.
Typically, when a trade like this occurs, it entails a contender obtaining a prominent veteran from a team ready to embark on a lengthy rebuilding process. While the Lions are competitors, it’s unlikely that the Chargers would rebuild. Despite finishing 5-12, the squad has Justin Herbert and an experienced head coach in Jim Harbaugh. This club wants to win now, and they will not move Khalil Mack if they can avoid it.
Unfortunately, they may not be able to prevent it. Los Angeles is considerably above the salary cap, and while Corey Linsley’s restructuring may help, the organization still needs to make a few key changes. Khalil Mack now has a cap hit of $38.5 million, but if the Chargers trade him, that figure shrinks to $15.26 million. Given that he is in the final year of his deal, Los Angeles may determine that he is not worth the cap space.
Meanwhile, the Lions have sufficient financial resources to easily deal for Khalil Mack. The organization presently has more over $48.12 million in cap space and can afford to take on a large contract like Mack’s. After coming so close to making the Super Bowl, Detroit should go all in on making it to the game’s pinnacle. Mack can help the Lions achieve this aim by becoming one of the game’s top duos with Aidan Hutchinson.
Ways to Avoid a Khalil Mack Trade
Ultimately, the most important issue here will be money. The Chargers will not want to trade Khalil Mack, but they must address their current financial situation. At the end of the day, the Chargers will release their costly veteran if necessary, but there are other options for freeing up salary space.
Wide outs Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have cap hits of $32.46 million and $34.7 million, respectively, while Joey Bosa, another edge rusher, has a $36.6 million cap hit. Williams and Allen are nearing the end of their contracts, while Bosa is under contract until the 2025 season.
If the Chargers want to avoid trading Khalil Mack, the first thing they could do is release Mike Williams, which would save $20 million in cap space. Los Angeles will most likely release the former first-round choice since he is beyond 30 and has a harsh playing style that invites contact. Allen has a history of injuries, but he is too crucial to lose. The Chargers may extend him and save up to $17.5 million.
This should be enough to keep the Chargers from trading Khalil Mack, but if they need more flexibility, they can always restructure Bosa’s contract. According to OverTheCap, Los Angeles could save up to $10.39 million by doing this.
Of course, the Chargers could decide to extend Khalil Mack rather than trade him. While this may cause problems in the future, it will provide up to $17.63 million in cap space.
The Chargers might use a mix of these methods to create the cap room needed to avoid trading Khalil Mack. However, if money is an issue, Spielberger’s solution is reasonable for both parties.
