It is not often that NFL teams engage in trades that include more than two teams, but crazier things have happened. With the roster cut deadline set to happen on Tuesday at 4 PM EST, some teams may be looking to trade for bigger pieces, such as the Los Angeles Chargers.
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A new trade idea for teams needing to bolster roster spots has been proposed by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, which predicts a major trade that could involve the Chargers, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals.
In this trade idea, the Chargers would dump third-year receiver Quentin Johnson in favor of landing offensive lineman Evan Neal and a 2026 sixth-round pick. The Giants would receive a 2027 seventh-round pick as well.
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“The Giants declined Neal’s fifth-year option this spring, and he’s owed $1.1 million for the final year of his rookie deal. The Chargers lost a key lineman when Rashawn Slater went down for the season with a torn patella, and while they are able to move Joe Alt to the left side and insert swing tackle Trey Pipkins on the right side, what was a deep line is suddenly vulnerable. Jamaree Salyer can play left tackle, but he might need to stay at guard with Mekhi Becton missing most of training camp.
Johnston (concussion) also has been sidelined during the preseason. But even before the injury, there were indications the Chargers weren’t guaranteeing the 2023 first-round pick a steady role in the lineup. General manager Joe Hortiz used a second-round pick on wide receiver Tre Harris and brought back veteran Keenan Allen on a one-year deal. Fellow wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round pick in April, impressed in camp. Johnston was solid last season, racking up 711 yards and eight touchdowns, but the drops that plagued him in 2023 were still a problem,” Barnwell writes.
Barnwell has two major points here. The Chargers need more offensive line help after losing All-Pro Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury.
Even with the team’s depth on the line, they could use one or two more viable starters to ensure they make it through the season. Also, Johnson has yet to find his footing with the Chargers fully, even after logging eight touchdowns in 2024.
Johnson could use a fresh start, along with Neal, making this trade idea seem very logical. However, three teams engaging in a trade is very hard to imagine in the NFL.
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