Analyst Believes Chargers Could Become AFC Contenders With One Offseason Move

Acquiring star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Eagles could elevate the Chargers, says analyst.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:07am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an American football game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes, conveying the strategic complexity of the sport.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the strategic chess match between the Chargers' offense and their opponents, hinting at the potential impact a star wide receiver could have.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Chargers have several offensive needs to address this offseason, including bolstering the offensive line and adding more receiving weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert. One analyst believes the Chargers could become instant AFC contenders by trading a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Why it matters

The Chargers are looking to take the next step and become a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the AFC. Adding a dynamic playmaker like A.J. Brown to their offense could provide the boost they need to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs and other top teams in the conference.

The details

Analyst Chris Brockman of the Rich Eisen Show proposed the Chargers trade a first-round pick to the Eagles for A.J. Brown. Brockman believes Brown would thrive in the Chargers' offense under coordinator Mike McDaniel, who could scheme Brown open and maximize his abilities as a receiver. However, the Chargers also want to establish a strong running game under McDaniel, so there would need to be a balance between Brown's targets and the run game.

  • The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place in the coming weeks.

The players

Justin Herbert

The Chargers' star quarterback who is looking to take his team to the next level.

A.J. Brown

The Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowl wide receiver who could be a trade target for the Chargers this offseason.

Mike McDaniel

The Chargers' new offensive coordinator who could help maximize A.J. Brown's talents in the passing game.

Chris Brockman

An analyst on the Rich Eisen Show who proposed the Chargers trade for A.J. Brown.

Rich Eisen

The host of the Rich Eisen Show where the Chargers trade proposal was discussed.

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What they’re saying

“Why wouldn't the Chargers do that? Suddenly, they become boom, an instant, almost favorite in that division.”

— Chris Brockman, Analyst

“Eisen wasn't moved on the idea, stating giving up a first is a little bit much.”

— Rich Eisen, Host

What’s next

The Chargers will have to weigh the cost of trading a first-round pick for A.J. Brown against the potential benefits of adding the star receiver to their offense. The team's decision will likely come during the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Chargers are looking to take a major step forward in 2023, and acquiring a top-tier wide receiver like A.J. Brown could be the missing piece to elevate them into AFC contender status. However, the cost of a first-round pick may be too steep, and the Chargers will have to carefully balance Brown's role with their desire to establish a strong running game under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.