The LA Chargers had one of the busiest offseasons in the NFL that has made them one of the most talented teams in the entire league. While the NFL has hit the lone lull in the yearly calendar, some still suggest that the Bolts should make another blockbuster move.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently put together some "firework" trade packages that would transform the NLF in 2022. Knox's first package of the article involved the Chargers trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, Deebo Samuel.
Samuel and the 49ers are currently having contract disputes as Samuel previously requested a trade this offseason. In this hypothetical package, the Bolts would trade next year's first-round pick and next year's fourth-round pick. Honestly, after seeing other trades this offseason, that is not that bad of a price.
Should the LA Chargers pursue this kind of Deebo Samuel trade?
In reality, the cost of Deebo Samuel is likely more than just a first and fourth-round pick. If the 49ers were stubborn enough to not trade him to this point, they are not going to take an offer back that they do not think is fair value.
Even this price might not make sense for the Chargers. Don't get me wrong, Samuel is a very good football player and if this was Madden and we could simply put him on the Chargers it would be extremely, extremely fun to watch.
But in reality, it just does not make sense for the team. First of all, while the team could technically work out a Samuel contract extension with how things are right now, it would not be in the Bolts' best interest.
That money is being saved for a Derwin James extension. Paying Samuel, especially considering the team is already paying both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, does not make a lot of sense. NFL teams cannot simply pay $60 million for a receiver room.
It would be one thing if receiver was a glaring hole for the Chargers but it is not. They have one of the best receiving duos in the entire league with a breakout candidate in Joshua Palmer. Yes, Samuel would obviously be better than Palmer, but the future sacrifices the team has to make would not be worth the upgrade they do not even need.
MUST-READ: 3 distinct advantages the Chargers have over the Raiders
I understand that this trade idea is completely hypothetical but just from a practical football standpoint, it does not make sense for the Bolts at all. There are plenty of teams out there that would line up for Deebo Samuel in a trade. The LA Chargers are not one of them.
Verdict: Pass