The Chargers are already making deadline decisions with the season slipping away.
Los Angeles dealt linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, according to Adam Schefter. The move came shortly after the Chargers dropped to 0-8, getting rolled by the Houston Texans 44-22.
It’s an eye-catching deal for a few reasons, starting with the fact that it sends Henley to a division rival. Denver adds a solid linebacker to an already strong defense without giving up much beyond two Day 3 picks, and the Chargers appear willing to look past the short-term hit because Henley is set to be a free agent after the year.
For Los Angeles, the trade raises the bigger question: how far will Joe Hortiz go before the deadline? With the Chargers sitting at 0-8 and the playoffs basically out of reach, moving more veterans for draft capital would fit the direction of the season.
Khalil Mack is the name that has come up most often. He’s on a one-year deal in Los Angeles and could retire after the season, which makes him a logical candidate if the Chargers decide to keep selling. A trade would bring back picks and could also send Mack to a contender with a chance to chase a championship.
Quentin Johnston is another possible name to watch. The Chargers’ offense has struggled, and Justin Herbert and Johnston have not gotten on the same page. Johnston is still on the roster for now, but he’ll be on his fifth-year option next year, and if Los Angeles doesn’t see a long-term fit, he could also become trade bait.
Henley is the first move, but probably not the only one worth watching as the deadline approaches.
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Justin Herbert Injury Scare Puts More Pressure On Chargers Offense
Justin Herberts latest scare came in the middle of a season already asking plenty of the Chargers offense. The quarterback hurt his left middle finger against the Texans, adding a new layer of concern to a unit that has not found much comfort this year, with Herbert taking his share of sacks and throwing multiple interceptions.
Jim Harbaugh provided the immediate relief after the game, saying Herbert is expected to be ready for the next matchup, but the bigger question around Los Angeles is unchanged. Herbert remains slated to lead the offense again, and the Chargers will need cleaner play around him if they want to avoid turning one injury scare into a much larger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Made A Daiyan Henley Decision Fans Will Question
The Chargers have moved on from Daiyan Henley, sending the 26-year-old linebacker to Denver after four seasons in Los Angeles. Henley had become a familiar part of the defense, and his value showed up most in pass coverage, where he gave the Chargers a linebacker who could stay on the field in a variety of situations.
For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to tighten up its own defense, the decision is going to draw questions from fans who saw Henley as one of the more dependable pieces in the middle. Denver clearly believes he can help its own coverage issues, but for the Chargers, the timing and the return leave plenty of room for second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Trade Deadline Just Put These Roster Problems Under A Microscope
With the Chargers still searching for answers at midseason, the trade deadline has only sharpened the focus on a roster that has too many spots in flux. The interior line has become one of the clearest examples, with Cole Strange out of the picture after a rough stretch and Branson Taylor plus Alex Harkey splitting time at guard while giving the unit a steadier look. Elsewhere, rookie Genesis Smith has had his share of trouble in coverage, adding to the sense that the defense is still sorting out who can be trusted in key moments.
Linebacker has become another spot worth watching, where Marlowe Wax has flashed enough promise to complicate the picture for the rest of the group. The Chargers also have a few veterans who fit the kind of deadline conversations teams tend to have when they are trying to balance present needs with future value, including Dalvin Tomlinson and Donte Jackson. For a team already under pressure to stop the slide, the next move may say as much about the rosters direction as any game result. [Read more 🡒]