Although Ladd McConkey proved himself as the primary wide receiver for the LA Chargers in 2024, it’s clear that Justin Herbert will need additional weapons heading into the 2025 season. Apart from McConkey, no one else was able to consistently create separation, which will prevent the Chargers from becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The issue extends beyond just wide receiver, as the Chargers also lack depth at tight end. While they recently brought in veteran tight end Tyler Conklin to address the need, he alone won’t be sufficient to resolve the problem.
Many fans are hoping that Michigan’s Colston Loveland will be available for the Chargers in the first round, but that outcome is far from certain. In fact, the Chargers may have to take matters into their own hands to secure an impactful pass-catching tight end.
This is exactly what the Chargers might do in a proposed trade by Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team. Valentino outlined several potential trades before the 2025 NFL Draft, including one where the Chargers send the 158th and 209th overall picks to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for tight end Dallas Goedert.
The proposed trade for Dallas Goedert seems almost too good to be true for the Chargers. Goedert has been one of the most effective pass-catching tight ends in recent years and could provide the Chargers with the pass-catching threat they need at the position.
However, while this trade appears to offer great value—exchanging a fifth-round pick and one of the Chargers’ four sixth-round picks for a well-known tight end—there’s more to the story. Goedert’s name value doesn’t always align with his actual performance, and his production hasn’t matched the high expectations surrounding him.
Over the past three seasons, Goedert has struggled with injuries, missing 15 games and averaging just 49.7 yards per game during that period. Last season, he finished with 496 receiving yards in 10 games.
Additionally, there’s a significant dead cap hit involved in trading Goedert. The Eagles would need to restructure his contract, as trading him would create a $9 million cap space hit. If they wait until after June 1, they could save over $4 million, but that would go against the purpose of trading for draft picks this year.
Furthermore, Goedert’s contract has a void year in 2026, which carries a $23 million cap hit. While this could potentially be adjusted so the Chargers aren’t burdened by the money, the team shouldn’t be expected to alleviate the Eagles’ salary cap issues.
It sounds too good to be true because it is. Not because it’s a great price for Goedert, but because Goedert isn’t actually a viable trade target who would help the Chargers.
