NFL Rumors: Chargers Would Love to Trade Khalil Mack or Mike Williams; Open to Bosa

Trading away a major star could be one of the first moves of the Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz era for the Los Angeles Chargers.

"Multiple teams believe the Chargers are willing to part with several big-money players," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday.

Colleague Dan Graziano added that Los Angeles would "love to find trade partners" for edge-rusher Khalil Mack or wide receiver Mike Williams. Edge-rusher Joey Bosa is also the subject of outside trade speculation, but Graziano said he's "likely the one the Chargers would prefer to keep from the Bosa/Mack/Williams group."

The MMQB's Albert Breer echoed the reporting and said wide receiver Keenan Allen is another long-shot trade candidate:

As the general manager, Hortiz inherits a difficult situation.

The Chargers are presently $21.1 million over the salary cap for 2024. They have to shed a lot of money just to get below the cap of $255.4 million before even contemplating some outside reinforcements after a five-win season.

Mack, Bosa, Williams and Allen are all due to count for $30-plus million against the cap, so offloading any of the four could bring some much needed financial relief.

Something should materialize relatively quickly since Wednesday is the start of the NFL's 2024 league year and thus the point at which teams are required to be in compliance with the salary cap. The Chargers might have little choice but to cut one of Allen, Mack or Williams if push comes to shove.

Hortiz's predecessor, Tom Telesco, was aggressive when he thought Los Angeles had a window to achieve big things. The franchise failed to achieve those lofty aspirations and now the current regime is left to clean up the mess.