Proposed Chargers Trade Is The Perfect Move to Compete in the AFC West

It's been a dramatic offseason for the Los Angeles Chargers over the last couple of months. They have new voices at the top of the organization with Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz now calling the shots.

The Chargers also released WR Mike Williams and traded WR Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. It was a serious shift to become a more physical team under Harbaugh.

Los Angeles drafted Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and added WRs Ladd McConkey and Brendan Rice to bolster that group.

Despite trying to improve that unit, they need an alpha in that room and the latest proposed trade would drastically improve the Chargers offense.

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report recently released an article highlighting six post-June 1 moves that teams around the league should make and his proposed trade for the Chargers would be a game-changer.

He suggested that the Chargers should trade for Cincinnati's Tee Higgins. That move would help them compete in the AFC West.

Higgins has made it known that he wants a new contract but the Bengals haven't done that. Both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are eligible for extensions and it's unlikely that both will get paid. With Chase being the better player, it's more likely that Higgins would be dealt.

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on the Clemson product. That price tag is $21.3 million for 2024 but that wouldn't be an issue for the Chargers, as they currently have $26.4 million available in cap space.

Additionally, next offseason Los Angeles will have about $51.8 million in cap space, which is more than enough to give Higgins a big-time extension.

Quarterback Justin Herbert had plenty of success with Mike Williams and Higgins has a similar play style. The 25-year-old is a nice vertical threat who can bring down those contested catches. In four NFL seasons, Higgins logged 257 receptions (403 targets) for 3,684 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns.

The acquisition of Higgins would immediately improve the Chargers' offense and make them threats to compete in the AFC West with Jim Harbaugh at the helm.

Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Kansas City Chiefs are the overwhelming favorites to win the AFC West at -230, while the Chargers are second at +350.

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