Chargers absurdly pitched to put key veteran on trade block

The LA Chargers were very busy in the first offseason under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. Harbaugh and Hortiz were tasked with fixing the salary-cap issues created by former GM Tom Telesco while retaining a competitive roster to kickstart this new era of Chargers football.

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both found new homes while edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack remain on the team. The Bolts are relying on the team's deep pass-rushing core to set the tone for the defense while also hoping Justin Herbert can elevate a WR room that is among the worst in the league.

Despite this very obvious commitment by the Chargers, pundits and analysts alike are still making absurd suggestions for the Chargers. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine recently broke down six players rebuilding teams should have on the trade block during training camp. Mack was mentioned as one of the six players.

"Part of that was choosing to keep both Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa while trading away Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams. With all four set to account for cap hits of more than $30 million, they had to make some tough choices. But electing not to trade Khalil Mack might have been a mistake they will want to rectify during the season.

The Chargers might be hoping for a quick turnaround under Jim Harbaugh, but it still would have made sense to deal Mack now while his value is likely as high as it will get."

The Chargers trading Khalil Mack is an absurd idea

It made sense to mention Mack as a player on the trade block five months ago. Mack's future with the team was unclear at the time and the Bolts could have theoretically capitalized on his high trade value after a career year in 2023.

Fast forward to the summer months and it makes absolutely no sense to trade Mack. The Bolts made a very obvious commitment to keeping Mack on the roster while still saving money. This team wants him in the locker room. It needs him to be competitive.

Putting Mack on the trade block would go against everything the Chargers have already done this offseason. It is a ludicrous idea that has absolutely no legs of happening. Just because someone suggested it does not mean it is even in the realm of possibility.

Could this change as the season goes along? Sure. If the Chargers have two wins at the trade deadline and Mack wants to play for a contender then the Chargers can honor his request. At that point, it would absolutely make sense for the Bolts to move on.

But this is not something the Chargers are going to do without being forced into a corner. Harbaugh does not view this as a rebuilding team that needs to trade any half-decent asset it has. He views this as a competitive roster that needs Mack to be the best version of itself.