At 4-3, the Los Angeles Chargers are well within the thick of the AFC playoff picture. Coming off a win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, the Chargers now get set to take on a suddenly-rejuvenated Cleveland Browns team in Week 9.
If the Bolts can figure out a way to pull out their second-straight victory and get to 5-3, they'll be in great shape entering the second half of the year. But, as that second half push gets going, will the Chargers also be in on a last-minute deal before the NFL trade deadline passes on Tuesday of this next week?
Of course, one of the main positions fans have long-wanted the Chargers to address this year is at wide receiver. Losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, specifically, has hurt the group overall. While rookie Ladd McConkey has shown some fantastic things early on in Year 1, this is a room that still needs some help.
If the Chargers were able to get a veteran who had the ability to stretch the field, a bit, that could allow for McConkey to be even more productive.
Lots of fans have wanted a reunion between the Chargers and the aforementioned Williams, who has been rumored to be on the block after the New York Jets traded for Davante Adams. And, much to the excitement of Chargers fans, The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently confirmed the Bolts as one of the three teams which have called on a Williams trade.
The Chargers will have a hard time trading for Mike Williams before the deadline passes
Despite the team being interested in a reunion, the Chargers will unlikely end up getting Williams back in the fold. And, it's not because they haven't tried.
The Jets recently put wide receiver Allen Lazard on injured reserve, which now opens the door back up for Williams to become the WR3 next to Adams and Garrett Wilson. Had Lazard not been injured, then the Chargers would have a good chance at getting a trade done.
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However, the injury completely changed things for the Jets. For those who watched Thursday Night Football, in the Jet's win over the Houston Texans, rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley made a costly mistake dropping the football just before he reached the goal line. That, alone, is enough to warrant the Jets holding Williams past the deadline.
Fans wanted the Chargers to be in on a Diontae Johnson trade, too, which ultimately ended with the former Carolina Panther heading to Baltimore. Now, the options at wide receiver are much more limited as we inch closer to the deadline.
The New York Giants' Darius Slayton could be the most realistic option, and he might even be the best overall target for this offense, right now.
With just a few days to go, all eyes are on the Chargers to see if this front office does, indeed, bolster the wide receiver room.