MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett has requested a trade and the Chargers may just be the perfect spot for him to land. Garrett has two years left on a five-year, $125 million extension he signed back in 2020 which would mean a $20 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons. Not everybody has that kind of dough to fork over. The Chargers do.

The Chargers enter the 2025 campaign with over $63 million in cap space, the fifth most in the NFL. The Chargers pass rush was solid last year with 46 sacks but things could turn a little murky this season. Khalil Mack, who is coming off a big year, is returning for another season but is also set to become a free agent and his future in LA is uncertain. Joey Bosa is due for a cap hit of $36 million in ’25 and would need to become a cap casualty in order to bring in Garrett.

Garrett’s primary reason for wanting to move on is his desire to win a Super Bowl. The Chargers, with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, made the playoffs last year after winning 11 games in the regular season, and seem to be on the cusp of bigger and better things. Garrett could be the guy to put them over the top. It looks like a nice fit.

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DK Metcalf has been mentioned as a guy that can bolster the Chargers receiving corp. Cooper Kupp could be that guy too. Again the Chargers can afford him. With just two years left on his contract there is little downside to acquire him. Kupp can still play and as a veteran leader is a great locker room guy. Kupp knows what it takes to win and would be a good mentor for a player like Ladd McConkey. Kupp or Metcalf…either one…would be a shot in the arm but the Chargers do need another target for Justin Herbert.

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Running back J.K. Dobbins is projected to get a contract of two years at about $7 million as a free agent. About $4 million would be guaranteed. Last year Dobbins rushed for a career high 905 yards and tied a career best in touchdowns with nine. He also appeared in 13 games, which on the surface may not look like a major accomplishment, but it was an improvement over his days with the Ravens. At that price he seems like a bargain.

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Are you headed to Vegas and want to get an early start on your Super Bowl pick for next year? The Chargers are the seventh overall favorite to win Super Bowl LX and fifth among AFC teams at +2500 according to DraftsKings Sportsbook. The Chiefs, who else? are number one at +600. You never know. Sprinkle in a Garrett here, a Kupp there, a solid draft…it might be another bargain.