The Los Angeles Chargers have high aspirations in 2025. After going to the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach, and with the growing belief that the Kansas City Chiefs may finally be overtaken in the AFC West, the Chargers want to be the team to do it.
But with a trade deadline during the season that can often help decide who is a contender and who isn't, wins and losses in the first half of the season can change everything.
Despite spending big to make sure they brought Khalil Mack back for one more year, would the Chargers consider trading him to a contender if things start to go awry? Alex Kay of Bleacher Report sees a potential deal between the Chargers and Detroit Lions.
Chargers receive: 2026 fifth-round pick
Lions receive: Khalil Mack
Here's what Kay had to say about the deal:
"If the Los Angeles Chargers fall flat out of the gate this season, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see them start selling off impact veterans who could affect the postseason race with their new team.
Khalil Mack fits the bill as a pricy veteran in the twilight of his career who can still make key contributions. He’s earned Pro Bowl nods in each of the last three seasons—including in 2023 when he notched a career-high 17 sacks—and the Bolts rewarded his consistent efforts with a one-year, $18 million extension back in March.
While Mack will be even more critical after L.A. parted ways with longtime pass-rusher Joey Bosa this offseason, he’s going into an age-34 campaign and doesn’t figure into the club’s long-term plans. If the Bolts are staring down a lost season, dealing him to a contender desperate for a backfield disruptor could be the best option for both parties.
The Detroit Lions could be the perfect landing spot for Mack. The team needs to add some juice on the edge to take the heat off star sack artist Aidan Hutchinson, and Mack could be the ideal player to give opposing offenses fits.
It won’t be easy for the Lions to absorb Mack’s $18 million salary, but the front office would be remiss to not find a way to fit the star under the cap. L.A. would benefit financially as well, receiving $8 million in immediate cap relief in exchange for incurring $10 million in dead money.
Injuries—including a season-ending broken leg for Hutchinson—caught up to Detroit last year and cost the organization a chance at its first Lombardi Trophy. Adding more depth and another elite option like Mack to ease Hutchinson’s burden is exactly what this roster needs to make a Super Bowl push."
Fans will look at the fact that the Chargers only get a fifth-round pick in return for Mack and immediately scoff at the proposed deal, but if the season were to get away from them, not only would the Chargers get something for a player that likely won't be back in 2026 but they would also get a little salary cap help too.
This is not a likely deal by any means, but if things went off the rails this season, Mack could be dangled as trade bait ahead of the deadline.
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