The LA Chargers are a playoff team in 2024 because of great coaching and elite quarterback play. On paper, the Chargers are far behind other playoff teams in terms of talent but it has not mattered with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert leading the way.
One of the thinnest areas on the roster all season has been at wide receiver. Rookie Ladd McConkey has been great and has made franchise history but has not gotten much help out of his fellow wide receivers. While there could be surprise saviors already on the roster, the fact remains the Chargers need to add wide receiver help this offseason.
Adding a true No. 1 wide receiver to pair with McConkey could elevate the Chargers to being a true Super Bowl contender. Adding true No. 1 wide receivers is easier said than done, however, the Chargers may have the rare opportunity to trade for a young, game-breaking wideout.
Dysfunction is brewing between the New York Jets and Garrett Wilson (are you surprised? it's the Jets, after all) that puts the star wide out's future in jeopardy. NFL insider Ian Rapoport broke down the situation on Sunday and confirmed that if the Jets keep Aaron Rodgers next year, Wilson may not stay with him.
According to @RapSheet, Garrett Wilson & Aaron Rodgers haven't found "common ground" since their "blowup" during training camp.
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 29, 2024
The former Ohio State product hasn't "requested a trade" but Rapoport said if Rodgers returns in 2025, "that is one of the options for how to proceed."… https://t.co/8orPjk5Xp5
Chargers trading for Garrett Wilson now seems like a real possibility
Rodgers leaving New York after this season still seems like the most likely scenario for the Jets. However, finding a franchise quarterback is hard and in a bad quarterback draft, it would not be all that surprising if the Jets bite the bullet and keep Rodgers.
After all, what are the other options? Reuniting with Sam Darnold may not be palatable for Jets fans. If not Darnold, the best options are Justin Fields and maybe Derek Carr. As bad as this season has been for the Jets, simply keeping Rodgers seems like the better result.
And that could result in Wilson forcing his way out of New York. Wilson is eligible to sign an extension this offseason and if he feels disrespected by the team and Rodgers he will not want to stay in New York long-term.
Keeping Wilson is obviously the smartest move for the Jets but if it becomes unfixable then it is better for the team to trade him for the maximum while it can. Wilson would absolutely warrant a first-round pick, and the Chargers are in a position where they can afford to trade a pick in the 20s to add Wilson to the fold.
Wilson would not have a huge impact on next year's cap, allowing the Chargers to spend in the trenches and in the secondary. Only seven teams have less money on the books in 2025 and only one team has less money on the books in 2026. If there is any team that can afford to trade for Wilson and extend him, it is the Chargers.
The Chargers would suddenly have one of the best receiving duos in the league with Wilson and McConkey catching passes from Herbert. This elite receiving tandem is also still extremely young, allowing the Chargers to get the most out of Wilson's extension.
Wilson will be 25 at the start of next season while McConkey will be 23. Not only does this improve the team next year, but it gives Herbert an elite receiver duo that will consistently be great for several years.
It is a no-brainer for the Chargers. Granted, Wilson has to actually be on the trade market for this to happen. But if he is, the Chargers would be foolish to pass on this opportunity.