While the entire NFL world was focused on the Super Bowl LIX, a bombshell out of Cleveland stole all the headlines. The Browns star defender, Myles Garrett officially requested a trade on Monday. In his statement, released by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the All-Pro pass rusher revealed his desire to compete for a Super Bowl.
When a player of Garrett's caliber becomes available, every team in the league will rightfully explore ways to acquire him. This makes a bidding war inevitable and it would behoove the Los Angeles Chargers to get involved.
Breaking: Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and #Browns star Myles Garrett has requested a trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2025
Exclusive statement: pic.twitter.com/LgS5YCeCnP
How the Chargers Could Add Myles Garrett After Shocking Trade Request
The Los Angeles Chargers are already an elite defensive team. They allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season. In Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's first season, the defense took a significant step forward. They eventually fell short in the playoffs and lost to the Texans in the wild-card round.
The improvement on the defensive side of the ball doesn't mean that the team should ignore their weaknesses on that end of the field. The Chargers still only ranked 12th in pass rushing per Pro Football Focus, and Joey Bosa continued to show signs of decline. Khalil Mack had another excellent season but he is 33 and hitting free agency.
Targeting Myles Garrett would keep the Chargers among the elite defensively. Having a perennial Defensive Player of the Year as the primary pass-rusher regardless of what happens with Mack and Bosa is a great idea.
Last Tuesday I asked Andrew Berry what would happen if another GM walked up and offered two first rounders for Garrett. Berry was adamant he would say no.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) February 3, 2025
I think that’s the starting point and we will see what happens.
Acquiring Garrett, however, will cost the Bolts a pretty penny. An offer centered around two first-round picks is probably the starting point for Garrett negotiations with the Browns. Depending on the extent of the bidding war, the Chargers will likely need to add more value.
Whether the Chargers need to go all-in for Garrett or use their resources to improve on the offensive side of the ball is a valid question but the opportunity to land an all-time great player in his prime doesn't come around too often.