The Chargers are sitting at the bottom of the NFL draft order, and that alone makes every roster piece feel like it could be in play. Khalil Mack?
Sure. Quentin Johnston?
Reasonable. Even Tuli Tuipulotu could enter the conversation if extension talks have truly gone sideways.
Justin Herbert is a different matter entirely.
Any actual trade of Herbert would be a nuclear move, the kind that would wipe out the front office and coaching staff before the quarterback ever gets moved, unless Herbert himself forced the issue. That kind of deal is hard to imagine, but not impossible to kick around, especially with a team holding enough draft ammo to make it tempting.
The New York Jets are the club drawing the most attention in that hypothetical, thanks to their trio of first-round picks.
Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac recently laid out the case for a Chargers-Jets conversation. “The Jets are spiraling after a devastating loss to Miami, and are currently poised to make three Top 15 selections in next year’s draft,” Ginnitti wrote. "If they don’t feel as though their next QB1 exists in this upcoming class, a phone call to the (win-less) Chargers certainly makes some sense, albeit overly aggressive.”
The money would be a huge part of the discussion, too. Ginnitti’s breakdown shows the cashflow the Jets would be taking on through Herbert’s contract, while the Chargers would be staring at a major dead-cap hit on their side.
And even if the framework made sense on paper, Herbert’s no-trade clause gives him a say in whether any of this ever gets off the ground.
For now, it’s just a useful reference point. If the Chargers ever did decide to start over at quarterback, a team like the Jets - armed with multiple first-round picks and the cap space to make the math work - would be the kind of partner that could actually keep the conversation alive.
In Other News...
Chargers Face A Bigger Deadline Decision Than Fans Expected
The Chargers head into the trade deadline in a familiar but uncomfortable spot, trying to balance a rough season against the temptation to reshuffle the roster. Injuries have piled up, the offense has sputtered under Mike McDaniel, and Justin Herberts play has regressed as the unit has struggled to find any rhythm. In that kind of season, every move gets bigger, and even the future feels like it is in play.
Los Angeles is also sitting on a striking long-term asset, one that could shape how aggressive the front office wants to be now versus later. The team holds the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft, which gives it a rare chance to target major help at a premium position if it chooses to stay patient. For a roster still searching for stability, the wide receiver conversation is already looming larger than most expected. [Read more 🡒]
Ladd McConkey Has Become A Real Chargers Concern
Ladd McConkey entered this season with the kind of role the Chargers had been building toward, the receiver they hoped would settle in as Justin Herberts most reliable target. Instead, his 2025 and 2026 seasons have been marked by uneven production and a stop-and-start stretch that has kept him from fully taking hold of the passing game the way the team envisioned.
For a Chargers offense trying to sharpen its identity, McConkeys availability has become part of the equation as much as his play. He has already navigated a rib injury, a foot issue, and a concussion in 2026, leaving Los Angeles with a familiar question: whether the receiver who flashed top-target potential can finally string together the health and consistency needed to become the centerpiece the Chargers were counting on. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Khalil Mack Decision That Could Define This Season
The Chargers slow start has pushed a familiar kind of front-office conversation to the forefront, and Khalil Mack sits right at the center of it. With the trade deadline nearing and the season already drifting in the wrong direction, Los Angeles has begun weighing whether to move one of its most proven defensive stars for future draft capital as part of a bigger reset.
Mack still has enough value to matter to a contender, which is why the phone has reportedly been ringing. A reunion with the Bears has been floated, New England has also been mentioned, and the Chargers now have to decide whether keeping an impact pass rusher in the building is worth more than what he could bring back if they choose to sell. [Read more 🡒]