The Los Angeles Chargers need to make serious changes this offseason. After another embarrassing defeat in the Wild Card Round, almost no one would deny that fact.
They will need to replenish their interior offensive line, hopefully replacing both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton. They will also need to solidify their defensive line through the draft and free agency.
With just under $110 million in cap space this offseason, they are uniquely poised to position themselves as contenders in 2026.
Yet there may be a temptation to make a rash move for a star offensive weapon this offseason given how the last two seasons have gone. Bleacher Report recently listed the Chargers as one of five possible destinations for star wide receiver A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles.
As enticing as this may seem on the surface, Los Angeles should avoid the move at all costs.
Chargers can make it work with their current mix of offensive weapons
The Chargers offense in 2025 was nothing short of disappointing. They fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman after finishing 18th in total passing and 12th in total rushing.
While this was largely a result of the injuries to and sub-par play of their offensive line, it's clear there was more to be unlocked from their pass-catchers.
According to Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report, however, Brown could be the piece that puts this offense over the top:
"The Chargers won't have to worry about a bag for youngster Ladd McConkey until 2027 (at least). But Keenan Allen is nearing the end of the line. Quentin Johnston started this campaign red-hot but wasn't that big a factor in the season's second half.Gary Davenport
Brown's a sizable, proven upgrade at a position of need. And who knows? It's not that hard to imagine him clicking with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh."
Although the Eagles offense fell off a cliff in 2025, Brown's production stayed much the same relative to his 2024 campaign. He amassed 1,003 yards and 78 receptions on 121 targets, but his complaints about his role in the offense and his continually frustrated body language were highly visible.
Brown has an extension already signed for three years and $96 million that will not even kick in until 2027. Yet if the Eagles decide to shop him this offseason, there will certainly be a number of suitors.
What could the Chargers provide him with, though? Even if they don't bring back Keenan Allen, they still have Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, Tre' Harris, and Keandre Lambert-Smith to feed.
Brown, without a doubt, is better than all of these players, but Los Angeles has long utilized a balanced offensive scheme.
Moreover, the biggest challenge of team-building in the NFL is properly distributing money across a roster. If the Chargers are able to bring in offensive linemen and a number of solid defensive players this offseason, they will be able to equip Justin Herbert with the tools he needs to vault them into championship contention.
If they blow a third of their finances on an inevitably disgruntled wide receiver, you can kiss that reality goodbye.