The Los Angeles Chargers need to survey all of their options to boost their offense this offseason. Assuming their defense maintains the same level of dominance under Chris O'Leary, the viability of their offensive attack is what will launch them into Super Bowl contention.
As a result, even the most far-fetched targets should be in play, especially considering the cap flexibility Los Angeles has at their disposal.
Tyler Sullivan at CBS Sports recently came up with a list of mock trades shipping A.J. Brown out of Philadelphia. If the Eagles ultimately choose to move on from their star receiver, the Chargers should immediately be making a phone call.
In his mock trade for the Chargers, Sullivan has the organization swapping a 2026 third and sixth-round pick for Brown and a 2027 seventh-round pick. If Brown is truly available for a late-round pick swap and a third-round selection, this move is a no-brainer.
Even considering the concerns that Brown brings with him.
A.J. Brown is worth the risk if his price is this low
Before addressing the baggage that Brown brings, let's first touch on the price. Los Angeles is not fully stocked with draft selections this year. They are missing both their fifth and seventh-round picks.
Swapping a sixth for a future seventh-rounder would leave them with little flexibility in the later rounds to seek out depth and developmental pieces. Moving on from a third-rounder would leave them with just three selections in the upcoming draft.
Perhaps some of that could be recouped through a trade.
No matter how you spin it, however, this trade for Brown would leave Los Angeles handicapped in the draft.
Yet Brown still has to be tempting as an offensive weapon. Even in a slightly limited season in Philadelphia, he amassed 1,003 yards, 78 receptions, and seven touchdowns on 121 targets. His presence as a contested-catch threat and an explosive playmaker could truly unlock the receiving corps, leveraging the skill-sets of Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston in a more balanced way.
He comes with both a $23 million cap hit for 2026 and serious baggage concerning his presence in the locker room. Maybe a restructuring of his contract could ease some of the first concern.
The second concern, meanwhile, could be a serious problem. But with Mike McDaniel structuring the offense, it's not hard to envision a world where Brown's talents are properly utilized.
If the Chargers truly have the chance to exit the offseason with a star offensive playmaker, even at the cost of some of their flexibility in the draft, it's something they have to seriously consider.