Post by Hank - Chargers on Dec 23, 2017 8:56:20 GMT -5
Summary: Chargers acquire offensive tackle Halapoulivaat "Hal" Vaitai and defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for running back Ryan Mathews and linebacker Josh Bynes.
CHARGERS ACQUIRE TWO YOUNG LINEMEN
Trade Veterans Mathews and Bynes
Trade Veterans Mathews and Bynes
San Diego, December 23rd, 2017: The San Diego Chargers today announced that they had acquired via trade the contracts of 23-year-old rookie offensive tackle Halapoulivaat "Hal" Vaitai and 22-year-old rookie defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis, in exchange for two veterans. The Chargers surrendered the rights to running back Ryan Mathews and linebacker Josh Bynes to the New Orleans Saints.
Bynes is 27 and Mathews is 29, but age wasn't the primary motivation for the trades, according to the Chargers head coach, Hank Sienzant, despite the appearance of a house-cleaning.
"Our organization acknowledged that our offensive and defensive lines were not as strong as we would prefer," the assembled pencils and recorders were told. "We felt that Vaitai and Ioannidis would help improve our lines, and we specifically targeted those players in the trade discussion with the Saints. They weren't included in the initial trade talks at all. But we wanted them, and we're glad we acquired them.
"We hated to part with Ryan [Mathews] and Josh [Bynes]. Those players were an integral part of our organization in the past, and we're certain they will contribute to the Saints as well. They are two fine young men.
"But Vaitai and Ioannidis will help shore up our depth on our offensive and defensive lines this year and show promise of being able to start for us in the near future. That's why we made this trade."