April 6, 2026, 8:58 p.m. PT
The Chargers have been linked to three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II.
Lawrence has requested a trade from the Giants and revealed that he will not be participating in the team’s offseason workout program, which opens Tuesday.
The Chargers have the opportunity to acquire Lawrence and Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick believes LA makes sense as a trade destination for the Pro Bowler.
“The Chargers enter the mid-point of the 2026 offseason with $48.7 million in salary cap space—the third-most in the NFL behind only the Titans and Commanders—and a need on the interior of their defensive line,” Kadlick writes.
“Bolstered with the likes of Teair Tart, Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack off the edge, Los Angeles’s front seven could still use some beef in the middle. After the departure of coordinator Jesse Minter to Baltimore, the Chargers will turn to Chris O’Leary to call their defense in 2026—and while they did sign NT Dalvin Tomlinson to a modest one-year, $6.2 million deal last month, Lawrence would bring a true, game-changing presence to the spine of their defensive line.”
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While the Chargers re-signed Teair Tart and signed Dalvin Tomlinson, first-time NFL defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary could benefit from a player of his caliber. Additionally, the Chargers could use a pass-rushing defensive tackle and Lawrence fits the bill, recently finishing with an elite 84.5 pass-rush grade.
In 2025, Dexter recorded 0.5 sacks, 14 solo tackles, eight quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss. He also accounted for 34 pressures.
While he is coming off a down year, Lawrence would play a pivotal role for the Chargers in 2026.
But while the Chargers have the cap space to facilitate a move, the front office may remain conservative given they currently have only five draft picks.