The Los Angeles Chargers were tasked with becoming salary cap compliant ahead of Wednesday's start-of-the-new-league-year mid-afternoon deadline. General manager Joe Horitz achieved that necessity by releasing wide receiver Mike Williams, a move that cleared $20 million in cap space. More financial flexibility is now required.
EDGE Joey Bosa is a clear candidate to be traded or released. Khalil Mack agreed to a restructured deal, which makes Bosa the likeliest Charger to be sacrificed. Trading Bosa would create $14.388 million in cap space according to Spotrac. Horitz and head coach Jim Harbaugh require that kind of flexibility to appropriately fill out a 53-man roster.
Bosa recorded 6.5 sacks despite being limited to nine regular-season games with injury. Plenty of teams should possess an interest in acquiring him. We've identified three potential trade partners.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
The Rams entered the 2024 free agency period looking to acquire a veteran pass rusher, but they've yet to identify the right fit. General manager Les Snead has been active. He addressed the guard position by re-signing Kevin Dotson and adding Jonah Jackson. Cornerback Darious Williams also returned to the defensive backfield after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
I expect Snead's next splash to occur across the defensive line. Byron Young was a revelation as a rookie, totaling 8.0 sacks, but an appropriate running mate is required to continue transforming the front four. Acquiring Bosa and pairing him with Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford, and other aging assets makes sense while the Rams are within their Super Bowl window.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts can afford to take some aggressive swings while Anthony Richardson remains on his cost-controlled rookie contract. The Colts went 9-8 last season despite losing Richardson to injury. This is a quality roster that's prepared to compete for postseason positioning.
There are also several ties connecting Bosa to the Colts' coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley spent three campaigns (2017-20) as Bosa's DC in Los Angeles. Head coach Shane Steichen also spent five seasons (2016-20) watching Bosa's prime years on that Chargers staff.
Bosa is tailor-made for Bradley's aggressive scheme. The Colts recorded a fifth-ranked 51 sacks throughout 2023, but Bradley's defense can't get complacent if they plan on maintaining that effectiveness, especially after watching their rival Houston Texans load up defensively. Bosa would be a seamless fit for a Colts squad that plans on competing for the AFC South.
DETROIT LIONS
It's been a relatively quiet free agency period for the NFC North defending champion Lions thus far. Defensively, they've added cornerback Amik Robertson, and defensive end Marcus Davenport. Davenport is more of a reclamation project that could replace rotational rushers like Romeo Okwara, Charles Harris, and Julian Okwara, all three of whom are free agents and aren't expected to return.
Bosa would look great opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions need another pass-rushing threat opposite their ascending superstar. Dan Campbell will enter the 2024 campaign with big expectations after reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2023. Detroit should continue building toward reaching a Super Bowl. Acquiring Bosa would address a major need.
