NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers watches as Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after Allen’s touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Both could be Chargers salary cap casualties before the new league year (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Wide receiver is one of the New England Patriots’ biggest needs this offseason, but this free agency class doesn’t quite rise to the level of the help they need. With top-tier players like Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, and Michael Pittman Jr. all re-signing with their previous teams, there’s not true coverage-dictated wideouts on the market.
However, free agency isn’t the only way to add veteran wide receiver help. According to a new report, there are other avenues the Patriots are exploring in addition to free agency.
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On Tuesday afternoon, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald reported that “the Patriots have checked in with the Chargers on obvious trade/cut candidates during this week’s open negotiating period.” The Chargers are currently listed by OverTheCap.com as being $25.9 million over the cap, and need to be cap compliant by the start of the new league year which is Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Meanwhile the Patriots are still projected to be at $68.9 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to take on some bigger contracts if needed.
The Chargers have a couple of wide receivers that they could unload to take a serious dent out of that salary cap number. There are also a couple of pass rushers on Los Angeles’ roster that also fit that description. Pass rusher is another need for the Patriots, although not as pressing as receiver.
In total, the Herald highlights four players who could be fits for the Patriots and help LA get some serious salary off the books. Here’s a look at each candidate, who could be available via trade or after a release…
WR Keenan Allen
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Entering his age 32 season, Allen is certainly on the older side for a wide receiver. Still, he continues to produce in tremendous volume. In 13 games in 2023 he caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards with seven touchdowns. He has missed 11 games total over the last two seasons, but played at least 10 in each. Yes, Allen’s play will likely take a step back at 32, but if it’s a minor regression he could still be a significant contributor.
If the Patriots did make a trade for Allen they wouldn’t be tied to him long. He’s entering the final year of his contract, which would cost his new team just over $23 million (while the Chargers take another $11.6 million dead cap hit).
WR Mike Williams
Sep 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) runs after a reception against Tennessee Titans cornerback Tre Avery (23) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Williams is slightly younger than Allen – he’ll turn 30 this October. However, he did miss most of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in late September. He also missed time in 2022 due to a back injury. In his last fully healthy season in 2021 Williams, more of a true deep threat, caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
Like Allen, Williams is entering the final year of his contract if he’s acquired via trade. Any team trading for him would take on $20 million in salary (with the Chargers retaining $12.5 million).
OLB Khalil Mack
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) rushes against Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) and offensive tackle Larry Borom (75) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Mack had a career-high 17 sacks at 32 years old. However, it’s worth noting that six of those sacks came in one game – Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Still, 11 sacks in 16 games isn’t bad production, but age is once again a factor here. It’s been eight years since Mack’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year 2016 season.
Mack is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. His new team in a trade would owe him just over $23 million, while the Chargers are hit with $15.2 million in dead cap.
DE Joey Bosa
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 06: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Bosa, who is entering his age 29 season, is one of the league’s top pass rushers when healthy. In his first six NFL seasons, he had 58 sacks in 79 games. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field the last two years though – a groin injury cost him most of his 2022 season, then last year he had 6.5 sacks in nine games before being shut down with a foot injury.
Unlike the other three players on this list, trading for Bosa would be a multi-year commitment for the Patriots. He’s due over $22 million this year, and then has a $17 million base salary in 2025. Given his age, Bosa also may be the most costly of these four players to trade for.
