The Chargers’ ugly 0-5 start has already shoved the franchise into a different conversation, and Dalvin Tomlinson belongs near the top of the trade-deadline board.
Los Angeles is staring at a season that has slipped badly off track, and with Jim Harbaugh struggling to get the roster anywhere close to its ceiling, it’s becoming harder to justify hanging onto veterans who may not fit the next version of the team. Tomlinson checks a lot of the boxes that make a player movable: he’s on a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, he’s an impending free agent, and there’s little incentive to assume the Chargers will bring him back if this season continues to unravel.
That’s what makes him such a clean candidate to shop before the 2026 NFL trade deadline. If he gets healthy and shows he can still help right away, general manager Joe Hortiz should at least test the market.
Tomlinson has built a solid NFL résumé, piling up 376 tackles and 20.5 sacks over his career. His production has been quieter this year, with just eight tackles so far, but that doesn’t erase the value he could still hold for a contender looking to shore up the middle of its defensive front.
Veteran defensive tackles who can step in and contribute immediately tend to matter in October and November, especially for teams gearing up for a postseason push. Tomlinson brings that kind of experience, and a club seeking interior depth could see him as a worthwhile pickup. The contract is the one wrinkle, though Los Angeles could help a deal along by covering part of the remaining salary.
Health also matters here. Tomlinson is dealing with an injury and is questionable for Week 7, so the Chargers need a clear picture of his recovery before they move too aggressively. At the same time, they can’t afford to let the market pass them by if interest starts to build.
There’s also a simple roster-building argument in favor of a move. If Los Angeles already knows it’s unlikely to re-sign him, why keep him around just to see the year out? A trade could bring back draft capital or even a younger player who fits beyond this season.
Tomlinson isn’t the only defender who could surface in trade talks. Khalil Mack is another name worth watching, and the case has already been made for moving him so he can chase another postseason run. Other possible candidates on defense include Donte Jackson, Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, Bud Dupree, and Denzel Perryman, depending on contract status, health, and what offers come in.
The offensive side is a different story. Justin Herbert is not going anywhere, and recent reporting from Adam Schefter reinforced that he is not expected to be moved. He remains the franchise’s foundation, which only makes the Chargers’ choices on veteran defenders more important.
For a team that has already sunk to 0-5, the cleanest path forward is to stop pretending this year is salvageable and start making decisions that help the next one. Tomlinson fits the profile of a player who can be turned into future value, and there’s little reason for Los Angeles to hold him just to finish a lost season.
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