The Chargers are staring at a bad start, and that makes the trade market look a lot more appealing than it did a week ago.
After the Week 1 flop, Jim Harbaugh’s team heads into a tricky matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, then runs into a stretch of games that could put the whole season in jeopardy before the first month is even over. That is the kind of spot where a front office can’t just sit on its hands, especially when it has draft capital stockpiled and roughly $30 million in cap space still available.
That’s why a move before Week 2 would make sense for Los Angeles. The Chargers have the assets to get aggressive, and at this point there are plenty of areas where help could fit.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox pointed to Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Solomon Thomas as one possible target. Knox framed Thomas as a player who could make sense for a team looking ahead to free agency, writing: “Thomas probably isn't a starter at this stage of his career, but the 30-year-old recorded 27 tackles and three tackles for loss in a rotational role with Dallas last season.”
For the Chargers, the fit is easy to see. They are carrying just five defensive linemen right now. Jamaree Caldwell left the opener with an injury at one point, Nick Barrett is still an unproven rookie, and Teair Tart is on the injury report this week.
A player like Thomas would give the group more depth and more flexibility, which matters after the defense stumbled in its first game under Chris O’Leary. Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett was able to run the show.
Offensive line help would also make sense, but the Chargers continue to look locked into what they have, even after another rough interior performance. That hesitation is part of the problem.
At this stage, Los Angeles needs action. The issues on the field are obvious, and the reluctance to address them off it is starting to look just as bad.
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Cam Wards Early Titans Debate Isnt As One-Sided As It Looks
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What makes the discussion more interesting is how familiar this stage can look when measured against other quarterbacks who later grew into franchise answers. Wards early career numbers in completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio sit in the same neighborhood as Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen at similar points, which is why the Titans have reason to stay patient even after a rough start. The performance in Week 1 was below expectations, but the broader arc still feels unfinished. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Offense Already Has A Disturbing Week 2 Warning
After a Week 1 showing that offered little reason for optimism, the Titans are already staring at a harsh early-season test against the Eagles. ESPNs Ben Solak went so far as to predict Tennessee could be held without a point in Week 2, pointing to how little the offense did against the Jets and how difficult Philadelphias defensive front is likely to make life on Sunday.
For a unit trying to find its footing, the concern is not just one bad afternoon but the possibility of a pattern. The Titans were shut out in a game last season, and the offenses broader issues have only sharpened the scrutiny around coordinator Brian Daboll, whose background with the Giants has already become part of the conversation when people look for answers. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Have A D-Line Decision They Can't Ignore
De'Shawn Hands season-ending quad tear has left the Falcons searching for interior help, and the ripple effect is already reaching beyond Atlanta. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report pointed to Titans defensive tackle Solomon Thomas as a possible trade fit, noting that the veteran has the kind of depth-lineman profile that can help a defense patch over an unexpected hole without requiring a major investment.
For Tennessee, Thomas represents the sort of movable piece contenders and retooling teams often circle when injuries change the market. The proposed return is modest, a conditional seventh-round pick, but the appeal for Atlanta is clear: a player with interior experience who could help stabilize the line for the 2026 season. Whether the Falcons are willing to act quickly is the part worth watching. [Read more 🡒]