The Los Angeles Chargers are already 3-0 in 2025, but front-office insiders are reportedly monitoring the trade market to strengthen the pass rush. With Khalil Mack sidelined, LA faces pressure to find a high-impact edge rusher before the NFL trade deadline. Analysts suggest that LA could compete with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens for top-tier defensive talent.
“The Chargers, missing Khalil Mack, could also be buyers,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained. “Three of the NFL’s most aggressive front offices may soon collide in the same market.”
The urgency is clear. While the Chargers have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, adding depth along the defensive line could make the difference between a playoff push and an early exit.
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One intriguing trade possibility for the Chargers is New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants have started 0-3, and with rookie Jaxson Dart under center, their season outlook appears bleak. That scenario makes Thibodeaux, who already has 1.5 sacks and 12 pressures in three games, a prime candidate for trade discussions.
“New York picked up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, so he’s signed through 2026,” Graziano noted. “But given the Giants’ depth in the defensive front seven, they could certainly get calls on someone such as Thibodeaux if they’re falling out of contention.”
The Giants also added Abdul Carter in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed Brian Burns to a five-year extension. Thibodeaux could be the odd man out, and a fair trade might involve a third-round pick that escalates to a second-rounder based on performance — a reasonable investment for a young, high-upside defender.
The Chargers will get an up-close look at Thibodeaux in Week 4 against New York, providing valuable insight into his fit and readiness. Bolstering the defensive line now could mirror the approach of the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant front from last season, giving LA the ability to pressure quarterbacks and control the line of scrimmage even while Mack recovers.
“The Chargers have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations comes the ability to be aggressive during the season to maximize the team’s ceiling,” noted one NFL analyst.
As the trade deadline approaches, the front office will have to move quickly to secure a player capable of contributing immediately. With competition from San Francisco and Baltimore looming, LA’s pursuit of an elite edge rusher could define its defensive success and position them as serious contenders in the 2025 playoffs.
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