For the Los Angeles Chargers, the priorities for the offseason could not be any clearer: bolster the receiving corps surrounding Justin Herbert and beef up the interior of the offensive line. The former could project t0 easier than the latter, as the wide receiver market and draft class could be wide open. CBS Sports however, view one target as the key to the Chargers’ success next season.
According to Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers could be viewed as someone the Chargers could go after. While Aiyuk missed all of last season with and most of 2024 with a knee injury, some reports have said he has grown discontent with playing for San Fran and could seek a change of pace this offseason.
“The Los Angeles Chargers are undergoing a change in offensive philosophy in swapping Greg Roman for Mike McDaniel at coordinator. It’s clear that the Chargers need to upgrade the depth on the offensive line, but they could be in the market for a new weapon, too”, Dajani wrote of any potential deal.
A Proven Playmaker When Healthy
Much like other projected deals, this one comes loaded with a lot of risk, but mostly positives as well. After all, the Chargers won’t be pressed for cap space, with one of the best cap space situations in the NFL.
Most importantly, the last season Aiyuk was fully healthy, he was one of the best receivers in the NFL and a huge reason why the 49ers made it all the way to Super Bowl LVIII that year. He caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns as the 9ers’ leading receiver. Most impressively, he averaged 3.1 yards per route run, which was the third best rate in the league at the time.
To top it all off, he had one of the best rates in terms of making catches outside the numbers and that traveled more than 15 air yards. With that kind of production, Aiyuk could be a dangerous weapon for the Chargers offensively.
Add in the fact the new Chargers’ offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel worked with San Francisco and Aiyuk before, and he could be swayed to join his project in LA even more. He would be the perfect schematic fit, as he would be one of the more versatile wide receivers in that room.
Risk vs. Reward for Los Angeles
The only potential issue that the Chargers could be faced with when it comes to Aiyuk is his health. Questions will be asked of whether or not he can stay on the field and truly give the Chargers what they expect out of him. Also, he is still only 28 years old. What with Keenan Allen turning 34 and on an expiring contract, chances are Aiyuk will become the veteran leader of a very young wide receiver room very quickly.
Still, the risk could result in much reward as the Chargers believe that they have the quarterback and the coordinator to make magic. Aiyuk could be the missing puzzle piece that unlocks it all.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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