The Los Angeles Chargers have reached a point where there should be no debate about what needs to happen before the 2026 NFL trade deadline. At 0-7, this season is a lost cause. General manager Joe Hortiz must stop trying to salvage a season that is going nowhere and start prioritizing the franchise's future. The biggest mistake the Chargers can make is refusing to sell their veteran talent while there is still an opportunity to acquire valuable draft capital.
Unfortunately, reports suggest Hortiz is reluctant to move players. Perhaps he genuinely believes this roster can turn things around. Or perhaps he understands that his own job security could be tied to the team's ability to win games. Either way, trying to string together a few victories at this point would be a franchise-altering approach — I explain later.
The Chargers are not one or two pieces away from becoming a contender, and pretending otherwise will only delay the necessary changes.
Joe Hortiz must accept that this season is over
The Chargers have a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday, a team they have struggled to beat for quite some time. Even if Los Angeles manages to pull off an upset, what does that accomplish? A single victory does not change the direction of this season or suddenly make the Chargers a legitimate playoff threat.
Hortiz needs to recognize the bigger picture. He has generally been effective at identifying talent in the NFL Draft, but the Chargers have not translated that ability into a successful roster this season. The results have been disastrous, and the decision to hire Mike McDaniel has not produced the expected results for Justin Herbert. In fact, Herbert's play has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding the organization.
That is where the real problem lies. The Chargers cannot afford to waste another season of Herbert's prime (take that word with a grain of salt) while trying to convince themselves that the current roster can compete. His development and long-term success must be the organization's top priority. Every decision made at the deadline should reflect that.
Khalil Mack and other veterans need to go
Trading Khalil Mack should be the easiest decision Hortiz makes before the deadline.
The veteran pass rusher remains a valuable player who could help a contending team strengthen its defense for a postseason run. The Chargers, meanwhile, have little reason to keep him on a roster that is going nowhere.
I have already explained why a Mack trade makes sense for both sides four weeks ago. Los Angeles should take advantage of the interest in his services and acquire whatever draft compensation it can. Holding onto him for the remainder of a lost season would be a waste of an opportunity to improve the team's future.
Mack should not be the only player available, either. Tuli Tuipulotu, Quentin Johnston, Dalvin Tomlinson, Denzel Perryman, and Tony Jefferson are among the players Hortiz should explore moving. Several veterans are approaching the end of their current contracts, giving the Chargers another reason to consider dealing them while they can still receive something in return.
The Chargers have historically not been aggressive in trading for established star talent. Mack was one of the rare exceptions. Now, the organization needs to recognize that its current approach has not worked and that the best way forward is to collect assets rather than hold onto veterans who might not be around when the team is competitive again.
Jeremiah Smith should become the Chargers' top priority
There is another reason Los Angeles needs to embrace selling at the deadline: Jeremiah Smith.
The Chargers need to do whatever it takes to put themselves in position to land a top-three selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. It is an uncomfortable reality for a franchise that should be trying to win, but there is no better opportunity to reshape Herbert's offensive environment than by adding a receiver with Smith's potential.
Herbert needs more help. The Chargers have not consistently surrounded their franchise quarterback with the type of offensive talent that can elevate his game, and the current situation has become increasingly frustrating. Smith has the potential to change that immediately.
The Chargers cannot control every outcome across the league. But they can control their own decisions. Trading veterans, prioritizing younger players, and refusing to sacrifice future assets for short-term victories would put them in a better position to compete for that opportunity.
The organization also needs to evaluate what went wrong with McDaniel and determine whether he is the right person to lead Herbert moving forward. Adding Smith would be a major step toward improving the offense, but the Chargers cannot expect one draft selection to fix every problem.
Ultimately, Los Angeles has to make a difficult decision about what it wants this franchise to become. The Chargers are not going to be a serious threat for a while if they continue operating as though they are one winning streak away from contention. Hortiz must be willing to make unpopular moves, even if they come with short-term consequences.