The Los Angeles Chargers may not be able to wait around much longer if Khalil Mack’s future keeps hanging in the balance. If he’s moved before the deadline, the team would suddenly be staring at a major hole on the edge, and that’s where a less obvious trade target starts to make sense.
ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler pointed to Tampa Bay edge Yaya Diaby as a top trade candidate if he’s actually available, adding that “Tampa is not poised to pay the 2027 free agent.” For a Chargers team trying to stay ahead of a possible roster problem, that kind of name belongs on the board.
Diaby wouldn’t be a clean replacement for Mack, and nobody is pretending otherwise. But Los Angeles may not need another proven star to step directly into that role.
A younger pass rusher with room to grow could be a better bet over time, and Diaby at least checks the boxes physically. He has the size, strength and explosiveness to give the Chargers another edge presence.
His production is solid, too. Diaby has 22 sacks in his career including this season.
He has also turned in seven-plus sack seasons a couple times, and he recently notched three sacks in one game. That doesn’t put him in elite territory, but it does make him look like a dependable starter.
There’s another layer here for the Chargers: getting in front of the market before more teams circle the same kind of player. Diaby could be a way to add help without getting dragged into a bidding war for a pricier name. Of course, none of that matters unless Tampa Bay is willing to deal and the price lines up.
Still, if Mack’s status remains uncertain, Los Angeles would be smart to keep digging. Replacing what he brings is no easy task, but exploring younger options could help the Chargers protect the pass rush while getting a little younger at the same time. Sometimes the best move is the one that doesn’t make the loudest noise.
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Tom Pelissero reported the Chargers have not shown much interest in trading players right now, a sign the organization still believes there is a path back into the season. One of the clearest indicators is Ladd McConkey, who is expected to remain in Los Angeles through the rest of the year and continue as a central part of the offense alongside Justin Herbert. [Read more 🡒]