The Los Angeles Chargers will have a big decision to make this offseason regarding star edge rusher Joey Bosa. The team would get back $25 million against the salary cap by cutting him, but could trading him be among those choices?
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report seems to think so. While putting together realistic trade packages for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, Bosa’s name came up. Samuel was granted permission by the 49ers to seek a trade, which was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
The Chargers were on a short list for many analysts of teams considered to be prime landing spots for Samuel. While the Chargers can use a lot of help at wide receiver, is trading Bosa for Samuel the right move? Before you shout no, let’s take a closer look.
If the Chargers were to make this deal, it would be because they plan to cut Bosa later this offseason to save the money against the cap. By trading him, the Chargers also save that money while bringing in Samuel.
Samuel’s best days as an NFL player may be behind him, but he is a perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh’s hard-nosed style of offensive football. In addition to being one of the strongest wide receivers in the league, he can help in the running game and has often been more effective as a running back than a wide receiver for San Francisco.
Chargers fans who argue that Bosa should be worth more would be correct, especially since under Knox’s scenario, the Chargers also send the 49ers a fifth-round pick. But this would be about the Chargers getting something for Bosa rather than nothing if a salary-cap-motivated move is planned.
The Chargers, projected to have $63.4 million in cap space according to Over the Cap, would have more spending money than all but two teams if they move on from Bosa. That could allow the team to attack the free-agent market in a very aggressive manner while already having a big upgrade at wide receiver in Samuel.
Trades involving a swap of superstars are rare in the NFL, but you can never say never in today’s climate around the league.
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