If there's anything that Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach should have learned from last offseason, it's that he better have a plan B if he can't sign defensive lineman Chris Jones to a long-term deal.
One potential backup plan could involve a trade with their division rival Los Angeles Chargers. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack has multiple trade suitors from around the NFL, and L.A. may be interested in dealing the Pro Bowl defender in order to create some salary cap space.
Trading Mack would free up $23 million for the Chargers, who are about $30 million over the cap. Given those cap restraints and with a new regime now in place, it would make sense for the Chargers to deal the 33-year-old Mack, even though he is still a highly productive player.
Age is the only thing working against Mack. Last season he finished fourth in the NFL in sacks with 17 (a career-high), second in forced fumbles with five and second among non-defensive backs in passes defended with 10. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in November.
If the Chiefs can't reach a long-term deal with Jones, as was the case last offseason, pursuing Mack would be a smart move. Mack is the only player in NFL history to be named a First-Team All-Pro at two different positions in the same season, achieving the honor at linebacker and defensive end back in 2015. He is a five-time All-Pro overall, eight-time Pro Bowler and was the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Trades within the same division aren't very common but are possible. If the Chiefs can come in as the highest bidder, L.A. would likely make the deal. The Chargers acquired Mack in 2022 for just a sixth-round pick. Their asking price will probably be higher given Mack's huge season, but it's hard to imagine it being higher than a mid-round pick.
His $23 million cap hit would likely be smaller than whatever Jones would get in a new contract. It would certainly be less than what Jones would make if the Chiefs used the franchise tag on him again, which would come in around the $32 million mark. With just one year left on his current deal, acquiring Mack would come without a long-term commitment.
Mack would fit well in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense. While he doesn't play the same position as Jones, Mack would fill the pass rushing void that Jones would leave behind.
There will also be a void to fill from Charles Omenihu, who will likely miss a significant portion of the first half of 2024 as he rehabs from a torn ACL. Mack's versatility would also allow him to play some linebacker, which would be valuable if K.C. doesn't bring back free agent linebackers Dru Tranquill or Willie Gay.
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