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Chargers defensive line could receive some quality reinforcements
New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary will have some big shoes to fill in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The new DC will replace Jesse Minter, who went on to take the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job and had the Bolts’ defense as one of the best in the league the previous two seasons.
In his single season at Western Michigan, O’Leary’s defense allowed 17.4 points per game, the ninth-lowest in the country.
Now, the new coaching staff hire will see if his playcalling translates from collegiate football to the NFL.
To make O’Leary’s job a bit easier, LA can go out and acquire some quality talent for the defense.
Getting $106.5 Million Pass Rush Threat
GettyChargers may lose two members of the defensive front in the offseason
New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary has a history with head coach Jim Harbaugh and former DC Jesse Minter, having been the safeties coach for the Chargers in the 2024 season.
This gives O’Leary an advantage in his first season, as he knows some of the system Minter likes to run.
But adding players would be the key priority, considering multiple key defenders might not return next season.
The Bolts had one of the best defensive lines in the league and O’Leary could add more threats to the group.
ESPN revealed four trade packages for the Las Vegas Raiders‘ EDGE Maxx Crosby, with analyst Seth Walder naming the Chargers as an option for Crosby.
“Let me start with the Raiders, who would surely bristle at the notion of trading their star within their division. But that fear is short-sighted: If you are going to trade away a star, why not take draft capital from a rival? By the time the Raiders are true contenders again, Crosby might well be slowing down while the draft picks have four cost-controlled years to play for Las Vegas — and against the Chargers,” Walder wrote.”
“The Chargers, with Chris O’Leary replacing Jesse Minter at defensive coordinator, could use help at edge rusher. Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are pending free agents, so the Chargers could use their bounty of cap space to trade for and absorb Crosby’s contract. The fact that Crosby’s deal is salary heavy (meaning the Chargers take on the money) and that he will turn 29 before next season, is why I’m not offering a first-round pick here.”
In Walder’s trade proposal, the Chargers will send a 2026 second-round pick (No. 55 overall), a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for the Raiders’ pass rusher.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer mentioned Crosby has been frustrated in his time in Sin City and does not want to go through another rebuild.
Crosby is still in the prime of his career, recording 10 sacks in 15 games for the Raiders last season, and would be an immense help off the edge — the defensive lineman also had 53 pressures and 46 stops.
With Mack or Odafe possibly leaving, bringing in someone of Crosby’s talent is a no-brainer.
Oweh is also projected to receive a huge payday, but in comparison to the Raiders star, Crosby would bring more value to the team and would likely take on his contract instead.
Replacing Khalil Mack With Maxx Crosby
GettyThe 12 year pass rusher might call it a career
Khalil Mack returned on a one-year deal for the 2025 season to chase a championship after mulling retirement, but the Los Angeles Chargers failed to do so, losing in the AFC Wildcard to the New England Patriots.
Now, the pass rusher is considering retirement again or could sign with another team.
“Not trying to make that decision right now like I’ve almost done before,” Mack said, via the Chargers. “Trying to stay as present as possible, stay prayed up, make a decision based on how I’m feeling and how my family is feeling.”
In his four seasons in the City of Angels, Mack has taken down opposing quarterbacks 36.5 times.
Adding Maxx Crosby would complement Tuli Tuipulotu on the other side, who was in the top 10 in most sacks this season.
Crosby has been one of the best EDGE rushers in the league the last few seasons and it would be the an easy answer to replacing Khalil Mack.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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