Chargers News: NFL Insider Suggests LA Trades Pro Bowl WR
Your Los Angeles Chargers are set to have a 2023 season to remember. The defense is primed to have a comeback season with their superstar players and new defensive coordinator. And the offense will show they are an unstoppable force this upcoming season.
LA has all the tools to be an incredible offense with great wide receivers at their disposal, but what if they may need to cut ties with one of their Pro Bowl receivers? NFL insider for Bleacher Report Kristopher Knox listed one player from each team they should consider trading and listed five-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen.
Moving Allen now could help the Chargers because A.) it would net them something of value in return and B.) it could set them up for a palatable 2024 offseason.
The Chargers are projected to be $73.9 million over the cap next offseason. Getting under the cap will be tricky, and that's without factoring in Herbert's inevitable contract extension. Trading Allen would save just $1.2 million in cap space this year but would clear $23.1 million off of next year's books.
The logic behind the trade makes sense, as those $23.1 million off the books in 2024 could be significant for the Bolts. However, trading Allen could hurt the Chargers if it were to happen before this season in a football sense.
LA drafted TCU WR deep threat Quention Johnston plus having another deep threat in Mike Williams. Those two going down the field will leave Keenan open on the slots and will be big on third-down conversions.
Money-wise, it makes sense; football-wise, not so much. To play devil's advocate, Allen is getting up in age and has an injury history; I'm not sure what his market would look like, but he's proven that he still can ball at a high level, as he had four touchdowns in 10 games in 2022.
We'll see how the 31-year-old fares in his 11th year.
