The Los Angeles Chargers are likely anticipating a competitive performance in 2024, boasting one of the NFL’s promising young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and a seasoned new coach, Jim Harbaugh. However, a recent report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic suggests that the team may undergo significant changes on the defensive front. According to Russini, the franchise is open to trading “several veteran players,” specifically mentioning star pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. While there is interest from other teams, potential suitors might be waiting to see if the Chargers decide to release these high-profile players, allowing them to enter free agency.
The prospect of trading both players would be quite unexpected, particularly in the case of Bosa, who has been a four-time Pro Bowler during his eight-year tenure in Los Angeles. Despite recent injury setbacks, limiting him to 14 games over the past two seasons, Bosa demonstrated productivity in 2023 with 6.5 sacks in nine games. His current contract, a five-year deal worth $135 million, extends through 2025, with a base salary of $15 million in 2024 and a $7 million roster bonus if retained by the team on March 15.
On the other hand, Khalil Mack, a former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Pro selection, joined the Chargers in 2022. Unlike Bosa, Mack has maintained good health over the last two seasons, participating in all 34 games. After an impressive eight-sack season in 2022, he reached a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, despite being in his age-32 season. Mack’s current contract includes a $17.55 million base salary, along with a $5.5 million roster bonus scheduled for March 15. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
