The Los Angeles Chargers 2024 run ended abruptly on Saturday when they were handily ousted from the playoffs by the Houston Texans. With the offseason officially underway, it is apparent that they have a lot of work to do to get their roster into championship form.
Bleacher Report took a stab at fixing the Chargers team with one big trade. Their suggestion was to go after the New Orleans Saints veteran safety, Tyrann Mathieu
Chargers Get: S Tyrann Mathieu, Saints Get: 2025 5th-round pick
Playoff-caliber teams may value Mathieu’s leadership qualities, experience on a Super Bowl-winning team and his elite ball production. He could be one of the missing pieces to a squad trying to open its title-contending window.
Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report
In the second half of the 2024 season, safety Tony Jefferson played a prominent role in the Los Angeles defense, but he’s made little impact. Since Week 13, he’s logged 27 tackles, one for loss.
If the Chargers want a versatile defensive back who can bring more to the secondary, Mathieu fits the bill as one of the league’s top ball hawks.
Despite entering his 33rd year, Mathieu continues to perform at an elite level. The veteran safety has consistently demonstrated durability, appearing in every game since joining the Saints in 2022.
Mathieu’s impact is undeniable. He has recorded at least three interceptions in each of the last six seasons while limiting opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 77.4 or below in his last three campaigns.
The Chargers struggled to maintain a health secondary throughout the 2024 campaign, including at safety. But with Derwin James and Alohi Gilman under contract and the team likely to make it a priority to re-sign Elijah Molden, the safety room will be brimming with talent.
That said, the notion of pairing James and Mathieu is beyond enticing, and for the price it would be a steal.
Matthieu’s contract runs through the 2025 season and would count 11.3 million dollars against the cap. The cap number is far from ideal, but if they feel like he is a long-term option, that could come down significantly.