The Los Angeles Chargers have a long list of players who are set to hit free agency once the new league year officially begins. Their defense, which was one of the best in the entire NFL could look entirely different next season.
Khalil Mack is the big free agent name, but the defensive line is the position to watch. Morgan Fox, Poona Ford, and Teair Tart are all set to become free agents leaving only Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, and Justin Egboigbe on the roster.
The Chargers will need to either re-sign some of the names listed above, sign other free agents, spend draft capital, or combine the above methods.
There is another option as one of the top defensive tackles in the game just became available. According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Washington Commanders have granted DT Jonathan Allen to seek a trade.
The Los Angeles Chargers Should Trade For Jonathan Allen
Joe Hortiz and the Chargers should absolutely pick up the phone and call Adam Peters of the Commanders to try to facilitate a trade. It is not often that Pro Bowl-caliber defensive linemen become available, and the Chargers have an obvious need at the position.
While the Bolts were stout on Defense last year, when you think about Harbaugh’s teams at Michigan, one of the standout position groups was the interior defensive line. Allen would bring this to LA.
The former first-round pick had a down year last season finishing with only 19 total tackles and 3 sacks in just 8 games played. Prior to that, however, he had 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2023 and 65 tackles with 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception in 2022.
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For context, Morgan Fox, who has been a great value player, finished with 42 tackles and 9 sacks over the last two seasons combined playing in every game.
According to OverTheCap, Allen is set to have roughly a $22 million cap this season, but none of it is guaranteed, and it is the final year he is under contract. So, theoretically, the Chargers would be able to work out a new contract with a lower cap hit pretty seamlessly.
Based on his age (30), and his production/missed games last season, a mid-to-late-round draft pick could probably get a deal done.
Should the Chargers get aggressive and trade for Jonathan Allen?