Unused cap space offers the Chargers a prime opportunity for blockbuster trades, targeting elite talent like A.J. Brown or Dexter Lawrence to boost championship odds.
I feel like everyone is catching up to me. Since the start of the offseason, or at least when it became evident that the Los Angeles Chargers were not going to use their cap space to buy one of the more sought-after options on the free agent market, I have been arguing that they could use it to trade for a high-priced player on a team needing to shed money.
This was my argument when I talked about the team potentially trading Quentin Johnston (along with a draft pick) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for A.J. Brown. Now, NFL.com's Matt Okada says that same trade package is one of six that would make the most sense for the Eagles (who are looking to part ways with Brown), the Chargers (who could use a dominant WR1) and Brown himself (who would be a great fit for Mike McDaniel's offense).
He points out that the Chargers' surplus cap space puts them in a position to easily absorb A.J. Brown's salary, which makes it much easier for a deal to get done.
Being a team that has championship aspirations, a near-complete roster, a well-respected coaching staff and plenty of cap space makes the Chargers an enticing trade partner for any team dealing with a money crunch and any player looking for greener pastures.
Yesterday, New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence requested a trade after the two sides could not come to terms on a contract extension:
Lawrence has two more years left on his current deal but clearly feels compelled to increase his earnings during what should be his athletic peak following three straight trips to the Pro Bowl (2022-2024).
You can understand why this might be difficult for the Giants, who have just $6M left in cap space. They would have to restructure other contracts just to find more money to pay Lawrence. You can also understand why the Chargers, who have been linked to a number of defensive linemen in mock drafts and have more than $48M left in cap space, might be a better fit for Lawrence at this time.
As Ted Nguyen reiterates, the Chargers would be fools to not use the "plenty of cap space" that they have this offseason. It's fine if they didn't find anyone on the free agent market worth it for them, but there is still plenty of time to use their advantageous position to work a trade that puts the team closer to being a true championship contender.