The LA Chargers took a big step forward in 2024 and are now looking to grow for the 2025 season. With more resources than a year ago, the Chargers are in a real position to add talent via the draft, free agency, and even the trade market.
Wide receiver is the most notable position that could be upgraded in the trade market with several big names who could be available. If things keep going south in New York, Chargers fans are hoping Garrett Wilson could be the team's next elite receiver to pair with Ladd McConkey.
Wideout isn't the only area the Chargers could improve via trade. In fact, in an article predicting the six biggest trades of the offseason, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report theorizes that the Chargers could trade for New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu. In the proposed deal, the Chargers send a fifth-round pick for Mathieu.
Chargers predicted to trade for former Chiefs All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu
Mathieu is a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player. Two of his three All-Pros came with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won the lone Super Bowl of his career. Mathieu played in Kansas City from 2019 through 2021 and has been with the New Orleans Saints since.
While no longer at an All-Pro level, Mathieu has seen been a productive member of the Saints' secondary. The 32-year-old still has the same ball-hawking tendencies with 10 combined interceptions over the last three seasons.
New Orleans has motivation to trade Mathieu as the team is in perpetual cap trouble with this being the offseason it may finally catch up. The one roadblock for the Saints is the team would have to trade him after June 1 to create $7.25 million in cap space. If Mathieu is traded prior to June 1 it wouldn't save the Saints any money and would defeat the entire purpose of trading him.
This means the Saints wouldn't be able to trade Mathieu for a pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and would instead have to accept a 2026 pick. The Chargers may be more tempted by this as the team would not have to send an immediate asset for Mathieu.
Mathieu would be an intriguing fit in the Chargers' secondary and would play the second safety position alongside Alohi Gilman, opening Derwin James up to continue playing in the nickel. There would also be looks where Mathieu and James are both at deep safety, which could be a lot of fun for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Plus, Mathieu's cap hit would be manageable and would not restrict the team from doing anything else. Because of how the Saints loaded his contract with bonuses and void years, the Chargers would only be taking on a $7.25 million cap hit. That is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for another impact safety.
At this cheap price, both from a draft standpoint and a salary standpoint, there's no reason for the Chargers not to take a swing like this.