Tight end was a major area of need for the LA Chargers heading into the offseason, and after one week of free agency, that situation remains unchanged. The Chargers have yet to add a tight end and even lost one, with Stone Smartt signing with the New York Jets.
Los Angeles made a push to acquire Evan Engram but was outbid by the Denver Broncos. The already limited tight end market is even weaker than it was last year, leaving the Chargers struggling to address this crucial position of need.
Chargers fans had hoped that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews could be the solution to their tight end dilemma. With Andrews potentially being a cap casualty, he seemed like a trade target for the Chargers.
Fans had marked Sunday, March 16 as the key date, anticipating a decision on Andrews due to his $4 million roster bonus for 2025. However, much to the disappointment of the Chargers, Baltimore defied expectations and paid Andrews his full bonus.
According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, who covers the Ravens, paying Mark Andrews his $4 million roster bonus doesn’t completely rule him out as a trade option. Zrebiec noted that it would take a “legit offer,” speculating that the cost could be at least a third-round pick.
If Zrebiec’s estimation holds, then it’s unlikely the Chargers will trade for Andrews. The team had reportedly shown little interest in giving up a second-round pick to extend DK Metcalf, and while the price for Andrews (both in terms of trade return and contract) is lower, the fact remains that Andrews will turn 30 during the 2025 season and could be on the decline.
Though Andrews is still one of the top tight ends in the league, his best years might be behind him. Given what the Chargers have shown in recent decisions, it’s safe to say they won’t commit multi-year resources to an aging player.
With Andrews off the table, the Chargers now have fewer options. There’s some speculation that Dallas Goedert could be cut, which would be an excellent addition to the Chargers’ offense.
Alternatively, there’s the two-tight end duo of Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in the 2025 NFL Draft. The hope is that one of these two will fall to the Bolts with the 22nd pick, but nothing is guaranteed. While the 2025 tight end class is fairly deep, selecting a mid-round tight end to take on a major role is always risky. For every successful tight end, there are several who, like Tre’ McKitty, don’t pan out.
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