Ranking Top 3 Chargers most likely to be dealt at 2026 NFL trade deadline

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The Los Angeles Chargers have reached a point where standing pat at the NFL trade deadline would be difficult to justify. At 0-6, the Bolts have watched their season unravel, leaving general manager Joe Hortiz with an important decision to make before the November 10 deadline. Rather than hold onto every veteran and hope for a turnaround, Los Angeles should consider moving players who could bring back draft capital and help reshape the roster for next season.

The Chargers don’t have many potential trade candidates, but three names make sense for many reasons. From a veteran defensive tackle on an expiring contract to a former first-round receiver who has struggled to meet expectations, here are the three players most likely to be dealt.

No. 3: Dalvin Tomlinson

Dalvin Tomlinson is an obvious candidate for the Chargers to move before the deadline. I previously identified the veteran defensive tackle as someone Los Angeles should consider trading, even with Khalil Mack being the more prominent name in those discussions. With the season going nowhere, Hortiz should explore what Tomlinson could bring back.

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Tomlinson is playing on a one-year contract, making this an opportunity to get something in return before he potentially reaches free agency. The 32-year-old has experience playing meaningful football, and a contender looking to strengthen its defensive front could view him as a useful midseason addition. Interior defensive line depth can become valuable late in the season, particularly for teams trying to survive injuries and prepare for a postseason run.

Every asset matters for a team that needs to rethink its direction, and allowing a veteran on an expiring deal to leave for nothing would be a missed opportunity.

No. 2: Quentin Johnston

Moving Quentin Johnston could make sense for both the Chargers and the receiver. The former first-round pick has shown flashes of what he can offer, including 16 touchdown receptions across the two seasons leading into 2026. However, his continued struggles with drops and creating separation have made it difficult to view him as a reliable long-term answer.

Johnston still has physical tools and potential that another offense might be able to unlock. A team in need of receiver depth could believe a change of scenery would help him develop more consistently, giving Los Angeles an opportunity to turn an underperforming asset into draft capital.

LA has Ladd McConkey and Tre Harris as younger receiving options worth building around. If another team is willing to offer a fifth- or sixth-round pick for Johnston, Hortiz should seriously consider it. The Chargers need to determine whether Johnston remains part of their future or whether his roster spot and potential trade value are better used elsewhere.

No. 1: Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack is the most obvious trade candidate on the Chargers’ roster. The veteran pass rusher has been a leader and productive presence for Los Angeles, but the team’s 0-6 start changes the conversation around his future. At 35 years old and playing on a one-year contract, Mack could have more value to a contender pursuing a championship than to a Chargers team trying to rebuild its momentum.

Trading Mack would not be an easy decision. He has contributed to the franchise since arriving in 2022, and his experience remains valuable to a defense that needs leadership. But the Chargers must separate what Mack has meant to the organization from what makes sense for the team’s future. Keeping him through another lost season would risk wasting the remaining time he has to compete for a championship.

Los Angeles also has a succession plan taking shape. The team selected Akheem Mesidor with the No. 22 overall pick in April, adding a first-round edge rusher to a group that includes Tuli Tuipulotu. Mesidor should not be expected to immediately replicate Mack’s impact, but learning alongside an accomplished veteran has value.

Ranking Top 3 Chargers most likely

The Chargers should not give Mack away for a low offer, especially considering his ability to help a contender’s pass rush. However, if a team is willing to send meaningful draft capital to Los Angeles, Hortiz needs to listen. A deal could give Mack a better opportunity to pursue a championship while helping the Chargers add assets for the future.

The Chargers are at a crossroads, and their deadline decisions should reflect the reality of their season. Tomlinson could bring back a modest return, Johnston remains a potential change-of-scenery candidate, and Mack could attract the strongest interest from contenders. If Hortiz is serious about building a more competitive roster, he should be willing to make difficult decisions rather than let a disappointing season pass without using it to improve the team’s future.

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