The Los Angeles Chargers have a tough route to the playoffs in 2025; the AFC West is ruled by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders continue to improve on both sides of the ball.
One of the best and most obvious ways to counteract the moves made by their divisional rivals is acquiring a superstar who boasts more current talent than anyone added by the Broncos, Raiders, or Chiefs. This should come on defense for the Chargers; despite their unit slotting at No. 4 in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season, it lost veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa in free agency.
Luckily for L.A., there is a defensive superstar who led the NFL in a crucial stat last season, potentially on the trade block.
Chargers Predicted To Trade for Trey Hendrickson
The Cincinnati Bengals inked the wide receiver tandem of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to contract extensions, leaving little room to sign superstar defensive end Trey Hendrickson. While there’s seemingly always an unforeseen way for front offices to work around salary cap restrictions, the Bengals would place themselves even further in a Super Bowl-or-bust situation.
This is why ClutchPoints predicts the Chargers to land the 2024 sack leader, Hendrickson, in a blockbuster trade.
“The Chargers were sixth in the NFL in sacks in 2024, displaying an exceptional ability to get to the quarterback,” ClutchPoints’ RB Hayek wrote. “However, losing Bosa might create a hole in this pass rush, and it might not reach the heights it achieved in 2024.”
Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks in 17 appearances last season, which marks the second consecutive year he’s hit that mark. Considering the Chargers have to face Mahomes, Bo Nix, and Geno Smith six times next season, it’s in their best interest to add a player known for terrorizing quarterbacks.
Trey Hendrickson every ‘24 sack
Legit game wrecker. A contender needs to send their late 1st-rounder for him. pic.twitter.com/fjjypSZwZt
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF)
“The verdict on Hendrickson indicates LA would need to send a first-round pick to the Bengals. If the Chargers could land Hendrickson, they would have the potential to become one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hendrickson could be the final piece that could help the playoff push,” Hayek concluded.
Although Chargers QB Justin Herbert crumbled when it mattered most in the postseason, throwing four interceptions after tossing just three during the entire regular season, he placed at No. 14 in PFSN’s QB+ metric and is still viewed as L.A.’s face of the franchise.
If he falls short with Hendrickson thrown in the mix, questions may arise about his long-term outlook with the team.
