A month into the NFL season, a few teams that were supposed to be chasing playoff spots are already having to think about the trade deadline from the wrong side of the table.
The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all came into 2026 with real expectations. Houston had an elite defense and a solid offense built around C.J.
Stroud. The Chargers were supposed to get a boost from bringing in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, with the idea that he could help Justin Herbert take another step.
Tampa Bay was aiming at the NFC South race. Instead, all three are sitting at 0-4, and that kind of start changes everything.
For the Chargers, the concern starts with the offense. Herbert has struggled, and the unit has not delivered on the promise that came with McDaniel’s arrival.
The schedule does them no favors, either. Their next five games are against the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
If they can’t stabilize during that stretch, the conversation around the roster could shift fast.
That’s where Khalil Mack comes in. The 35-year-old pass-rusher would instantly become one of the biggest names on the market if Los Angeles decided to sell.
He’d make sense for a contender looking to beef up its defensive front, and he’d also give the Chargers a chance to turn him into future assets. Donte Jackson is another obvious candidate.
He’s on an expiring contract, which makes him an easy fit as a rental for a team that needs help in the secondary. With veteran corners always in demand around the deadline, Jackson should draw interest without requiring a premium draft pick.
Houston’s options are just as intriguing, though the names are a little different. Danielle Hunter would be the headliner if the Texans opened the door.
Pass-rushers with his track record don’t stay quiet for long at the deadline, and he could end up as one of the best defensive players available. Jadeveon Clowney is another possible move, even if he wouldn’t bring back the same kind of return.
For teams looking for veteran depth on the edge, he’d be a logical target.
Then there’s Kamari Lassiter, which would be a much bigger statement. The young cornerback has real value, and moving him could bring back a strong package. That kind of deal would suggest Houston is thinking beyond 2026 rather than just tweaking around the edges.
Tampa Bay has already been dragged into the same conversation. Baker Mayfield has not played well, and the thumb injury that is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks only adds to the uncertainty. If the losses keep coming, the Buccaneers could end up as another surprise seller.
YaYa Diaby would be a name to watch there. Young pass-rushers are rarely available, which would make him especially appealing to contenders.
Zyon McCollum could also get attention, since teams are always looking for cornerback help and he is only 27. And Kenneth Gainwell could be the easiest piece to move, especially with Bucky Irving already established in Tampa Bay’s backfield.
Gainwell’s pass-catching ability gives him a clear lane to value elsewhere.
No one saw these three teams as deadline sellers when the season began. But four straight losses have a way of changing the picture quickly, and one more rough stretch could push each front office into a very different kind of decision.
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