Sunday might tell the Chargers everything they need to know about this season.
At 0-6, Los Angeles is already in a spot where the math and the eye test are working against it. Another loss, this time against the Los Angeles Rams, would push the Chargers to 0-7 and make it much harder to keep pretending this is still a season that can be salvaged. That’s where the conversation shifts from hope to honesty, and from chasing a turnaround to thinking about the trade deadline.
General manager Joe Hortiz has reportedly been hesitant to engage on trade talks for veteran players, even with the team off to this disastrous start. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported that the Chargers have shut down trade inquiries, despite the obvious possibility that players such as Khalil Mack could draw interest.
That reluctance is understandable. Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh do not want to be the ones to concede that a team built with playoff expectations has already unraveled before the midpoint of the season. But there’s a point where optimism turns into denial, and the Chargers may be close to it.
Mack is the clearest name to watch. He is still a productive pass rusher, and teams with postseason ambitions could see him as a useful addition. Given his age and contract situation, the Chargers may not have many chances left to get value for him before he potentially walks in free agency.
He’s not the only player who could come up in trade discussions. Bud Dupree, Donte Jackson and Quentin Johnston could also attract interest depending on what other teams are looking for. If the season keeps sliding, Hortiz should be willing to hear those calls and decide whether any of those moves make sense for the long-term plan.
That doesn’t mean the Chargers should start dealing players just to make a splash. Any move has to bring back fair value, and the team can’t afford to create holes without a clear payoff. But if the season keeps going the way it has, adding draft capital and opening the door for younger players should be part of the conversation.
Justin Herbert remains the centerpiece, and that’s the part of this that matters most. If the Chargers are serious about building a roster that can actually contend around him, they can’t waste time clinging to veterans who may not be part of the picture next season.
Sunday is their chance to keep the season from tipping into full reset mode. A win would buy time and maybe preserve some belief. Another loss would make it much tougher for Hortiz to justify standing pat.
The trade deadline is November 10, so the clock is already ticking. If the Chargers drop to 0-7, that should be the point where they stop waiting for a rescue and start planning for what comes next.
In Other News...
Ex-Chargers Defender Just Jumped Into The Jonathan Taylor Drama
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Former Chargers defender Breiden Fehoko jumped into the middle of it on social media, taking aim at Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon over the way the situation has been handled. For Chargers fans, it is another reminder of how quickly a leaguewide storyline can turn into a public relations problem, especially when a player of Taylor's caliber is involved and the messages coming out of the building do not seem to line up. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Could Be Pulled Into Bears Deadline Push
The Bears already made one major move up front, sending two first-round picks to Tennessee for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before Week 8, and now Chicago may not be done shopping along the defensive line. NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported the Bears are still exploring additional options as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, which naturally puts a familiar name back into the conversation for Chargers fans.
Khalil Macks potential fit in that push adds a layer of intrigue because of his history in Chicago and his status with Los Angeles, where he remains one of the most recognizable veterans on the roster. Whether the Bears actually keep pressing for another splash move is still unclear, but the deadline clock is ticking and the Chargers could find themselves monitoring a situation that has not gone away quietly. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face Two Huge Concerns Heading Into Rams Showdown
The bye week gave the Chargers a chance to reset, but it also put a sharper spotlight on the issues that have followed them into a matchup with the Rams. Justin Herberts play has been central to everything they do, and the offense has not always matched the standard his talent suggests. At the same time, the defense has done enough at times to keep games within reach, which only raises the pressure on the other side of the ball to clean up the mistakes.
Protection up front is a major part of the equation against a Rams front that can wreck a game plan, especially with Aaron Donald and Byron Young coming after the pocket. The Chargers are also trying to sort out an inconsistent running game while dealing with offensive line injuries, and even with Joe Alt trending toward availability, Rashawn Slater remains on injured reserve. How those moving parts hold up will go a long way toward deciding whether this feels like a post-bye reset or another familiar problem. [Read more 🡒]