The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly held trade discussions with an AFC rival regarding not one, but four of their star players.

According to a report from Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the New England Patriots have spoken with the Chargers about some of their “obvious trade/cut candidates.” Those “obvious” candidates are wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

The official league new year begins tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. EST. As Kyed noted, the Bolts must clear up considerable cap space by that time:

“The Patriots have checked in with the Chargers on obvious trade/cut candidates during this week’s open negotiating period, sources told the Herald.

The Chargers are more than $25 million over the salary cap, and they must be compliant before the NFL’s new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. Their most obvious trade/cut candidates are wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen and edge defenders Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

The Patriots have needs at both wide receiver and edge defender.”

New England has already been a big spender in the legal tampering period, having extended offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, tight end Hunter Henry and edge rusher Josh Uche.

They also brought back old friend and QB Jacoby Brissett on a one-year deal, one day after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

New England unquestionably needs more help at receiver. They haven’t had a 1,000-yard pass-catcher since Julian Edelman in 2019, and rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas led the team with only 561 receiving yards during the miserable 2023 season.

The Chargers appear to be ready for a retooling phase under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. And if they decide to deal either of these four stars in Allen, Williams, Bosa and Mack, the Patriots certainly make sense as a trade partner.