The Los Angeles Chargers might have two big holes to fill along the edge in 2026.
That's because both Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are slated to be free agents, and Mack could very well retire.
Oweh was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens before the trade deadline and he has been a revelation with four sacks in seven games. As for Mack, he's having yet another impactful season with 4.5 sacks in eight contests.
If the Chargers do end up in need of edge rusher help in free agency, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin predicts the team will sign Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in 2026.
The Bengals are trying to forge a desperate playoff push without Hendrickson, leaning upon the return of fellow standout Joe Burrow, and all indications are the former is destined for new pastures this offseason. After repeatedly eyeing a trade out of town, Hendrickson is due to test the market.
Prediction: Signs with Chargers
Spotrac projects Hendrickson will sign a two-year, $44 million deal in free agency, assuming he actually hits the open market.
We find it very hard to believe that the Bengals are simply going to let Hendrickson walk in free agency given how important he is to the defense, and with the kind of value he could garner in a trade if they don't want to keep him.
The more likely scenario is the Bengals slap the franchise tag on Hendrickson and either try to have him play on that or trade him. Even if the Bengals want to keep Hendrickson, he won't be happy with getting franchise-tagged, which could lead Hendrickson to hold out and an eventual trade.
Of course, an extension is possible, but given how badly the two sides have failed to get something done in recent years, it's unlikely to happen.
The franchise tag price for a defensive end in 2026 is estimated to be $26.5 million, so the Chargers would have to give up draft capital in a trade for Hendrickson and pay that price, which they can easily afford with a projected $101.6 million in cap space next offseason.
However, Hendrickson is going to want a long-term deal or else he's going to be disgruntled.
The Chargers will likely be amenable to one, also, considering they would prefer Hendrickson not be a rental after giving up draft capital for him.
An extension would also lower Hendrickson's 2026 cap hit, giving the Chargers more funds to improve their roster elsewhere.
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