This Patriots-Chargers Trade for Keenan Allen Could Save New England's Offseason

For the first time in what feel likes ever, Bill Belichick is catching heat for the New England Patriots' offseason. Tom Brady is gone, along with half the defense, and this team has more holes than any NFL fan could've ever imagined.

The good news is that there's still time to make trades and address other needs through the draft. We know Belichick typically nails the draft, but he should also be exploring the trade market while everything's on hold. Why not call the Los Angeles Chargers about Keenan Allen?

We've heard these trade rumors before, particularly last year, when it was evident the Chargers were sinking while Brady needed another receiving threat following the losses of Josh Gordon and Rob Gronkowski. Many of us were scared it was a possibility, but it never came together, and we all celebrated when the Titans smashed the Pats out of the playoffs.

But when you look at this scenario now, it's as plausible as ever. Belichick needs another weapon on offense if he wants to float in 2020, and Allen is in a contract year. We know the Chargers pretty much pay nobody, so what if the Patriots gave them a call to swap Allen for offensive lineman Joe Thuney, who has been widely believed to be on the trade block ever since he was franchise-tagged?

The salaries almost match up. Thuney is making almost $14.8 million and Allen will bring in $12.65 million. Both of these teams can benefit in a big way. The Chargers can build arguably the best offensive line in football if they swap Dan Feeney out for Thuney and boast a line that also features Bryan Bulaga, Mike Pouncey, Trai Turner and Sam Tevi. On the other hand, New England gets Allen to pair with Julian Edelman to give Jarrett Stidham help in the receiving game.

It shouldn't be hard to get either of these guys to sign extensions, either. Both will be 28 years old when their contracts are up, so it's not like they'll be commanding obscene long-term deals that could handicap the teams' financial situations.

This seems like a perfect swap, which would allow the Chargers to select a QB at No. 6 and then a wideout in the second round, given it's one of the deepest drafts for that position we've seen in a while. Whatever the Patriots decide to do, they'll have Allen and Edelman terrorizing defenses, which will only help their quarterback situation.