With the NFL trade deadline looming just around the corner on Nov. 10, the Los Angeles Chargers need to start exploring their options.
Sure, it seems as though the front office has publicly projected a 'stand pat' approach for now. But we'll take that with a grain of salt until the deadline is actually on the doorstep. Los Angeles is 0-6, and moving on from certain pieces in order to amass some additional draft capital for this offseason is almost certainly their best move. Projecting that stance this early would be a major loss of leverage for the organization.
In all likelihood, it comes down to public appearances and politics—and that applies nowhere more intensely than it does a potential Khalil Mack trade.
Mack is one of this organization's most valuable veterans, and he returned this season on a one-year deal with the clear intention of competing for a Super Bowl. If he wants to try to accomplish that elsewhere before the end of his career, Los Angeles owes that to him. If he wants to stay here, the organization owes him that as well: even if there's an opportunity cost there in the form of a mid-round pick.
Regardless of the no-trade clause in Mack's contract, that's the reality the Chargers must face over the next couple of weeks.
But even with Mack having complete control over his situation, interest from multiple teams could give Los Angeles the flexibility and leverage they need to maximize his value on the market. The Dallas Cowboys' desperation may help provide that.
Dallas needs a pass rusher—and that adds some intrigue to the Chargers' Khalil Mack conundrum
Again, it will all come down to Mack's decision whether he wants to be traded or not before the deadline. And if he does want to be moved, he'll be able to choose the destination.
That takes away a lot of leverage on the Chargers' part.
But it's not as though Los Angeles has to broadcast Mack's choice to the world, if he has one. If Mack is available, there will likely be numerous contenders showing some interest in his services. He's amassed 16 total pressures and 3.0 sacks through six games even in his age-35 campaign. He won't be able to completely solve a team's pass-rush woes, but his presence both as a veteran edge rusher and a consistent run defender is something that should be coveted across the league.
The Chicago Bears are an obvious fit, although their pass rush looks much improved from last season both in terms of sack and pressure production. The San Francisco 49ers are another one—and veteran George Kittle specifically rallied for a potential Mack acquisition at some point within the past couple of weeks. But if it's just one of those two teams in on the sweepstakes, the Chargers' chances to maximize the value of a potential Mack deal don't look good.
That's where Dallas comes in. Although the Cowboys haven't officially expressed any interest in Mack, rumors and connections to the veteran defender have run rampant in Dallas circles over the past couple of weeks. The Cowboys are currently 28th in the NFL in sacks and 25th in pressures, and with a 3-4 record after seven weeks, they'll be looking to do everything they can to take this roster over the top. Mack could be the type of affordable piece that would fit within their budget at the deadline.
There's two obvious caveats to outline here. Firstly, Mack may not view Dallas as a true contender if he does wish to be moved, and a deal might be impossible there from the outset. Secondly, the Cowboys are in possession of only one mid-round pick in this year's Draft—the Pittsburgh Steelers' fourth-round selection.
But if the Chargers wind up negotiating with either the 49ers or the Bears before the deadline on a potential Mack trade, having the Cowboys in the mix with an offer of a fourth-rounder could give Los Angeles some much needed leverage in trade talks.
For the Chargers, the focus needs to be on maximizing the value of their assets between now and the deadline. If the Cowboys are truly in on Mack, that task could immediately become easier.
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