One trade, cut and signing the Los Angeles Chargers should make

In 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers imploded, going 5-12 and missing the playoffs. New head coach Jim Harbaugh will try to turn things around, but that's a challenging task.

With that in mind, here are a trade, cut and signing the Los Angeles Chargers should make.

TRADE: Linebacker Khalil Mack to clear cap space

The Chargers have one of the worst salary-cap situations in the league. According to OTC, L.A. is $35.51M over the cap. 

Mack — who has the team's largest cap hit ($38.51M) — would attract Super Bowl contenders who want to improve their pass-rush. In 17 games, the 33-year-old tied for fourth in the league in sacks (17) and first in forced fumbles (five). Pro Football Focus gave him a 91.8 grade, the sixth-best at his position. 

PFF's Brad Spielberger proposed trading the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year to the Detroit Lions for a 2025 fourth-round pick. The Chargers would save $23.25M if they made this deal. 

CUT: Wide receiver Mike Williams

Williams — who has the team's fourth-highest cap hit ($32.46M) — is injury-prone. Last season, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3 and hasn't played an entire season since 2018, per CBS Sports.
While Quentin Johnston failed to develop into a No. 2 WR during his rookie season, Los Angeles could select Williams' replacement in the draft. In its latest mock draft, PFF had the Chargers taking LSU's Malik Nabers, a 2023 first-team All-American, with the fifth overall pick.
Releasing the 29-year-old wideout would save $20M. L.A. could use this cap space to improve its defense or add other offensive pieces.

SIGNING: Running back Tony Pollard

The Chargers couldn't run the ball last season. They finished 24th in the league in rushing yards (96.6). Starting RB Austin Ekeler — who enters free agency in March — averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 14 games.

Adding Pollard would be a smart idea. In 17 games with the Cowboys, the former Pro Bowler rushed for 1,005 yards and six TDs on 252 carries. Spotrac estimates the 26-year-old's market value is a two-year deal worth $6.5M annually, eighth at his position.

Creating a more balanced attack protects quarterback Justin Herbert, who suffered a season-ending right finger fracture in Week 14. Harbaugh recently told NFL Media's Rich Eisen, "[Herbert] doesn't have to be Superman on every play."