At 0-6, it is Time the Chargers Become Sellers

The Los Angeles Chargers have officially reached rock bottom. After entering the 2026 season with legitimate playoff and Super Bowl aspirations, the Chargers are now 0-6 following Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The offense continues to struggle, Justin Herbert is enduring the worst stretch of his career and there are very few signs that this team is capable of turning things around anytime soon. At this point, general manager Joe Hortiz needs to stop worrying about saving the season and start thinking about the future.

The Chargers have a difficult decision to make with the NFL trade deadline approaching on November 10. While the organization reportedly remains reluctant to entertain trade offers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify holding onto veteran players who could help contenders make a playoff push. The Chargers need to start accumulating draft capital and give themselves more flexibility heading into 2027.

Khalil Mack should be the first name on the trading block. The veteran pass rusher is still a valuable player who could make a difference for a contending team looking to improve its defense. Mack is on a one-year deal, meaning the Chargers risk losing him without receiving anything in return if he leaves in free agency. If a team is willing to offer a draft pick, Hortiz should seriously consider it.

There are other players worth exploring as well. Donte Jackson could attract interest from teams looking to improve their secondary, while veterans such as Bud Dupree, Denzel Perryman and Dalvin Tomlinson could provide value to playoff contenders. The Chargers should also listen to offers for other players on expiring contracts rather than automatically dismissing calls from interested teams.

That does not mean the Chargers should trade everyone of value. Tuli Tuipulotu is young enough to remain part of the team’s long-term plans, while Daiyan Henley has the potential to be an important piece of the defense moving forward. The organization needs to be smart about which players it moves and which ones it keeps. The goal should be to acquire assets without creating even more holes that will take years to fill.

The biggest question is whether the front office is willing to admit that this season is effectively over. Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel entered the year with high expectations, but the results have been disastrous. The Chargers have struggled to score points, protect Herbert and consistently compete against quality opponents. Sunday’s loss to Kansas City only reinforced how far this team has fallen behind where it expected to be.

There is still a franchise quarterback in Herbert, and that alone gives the Chargers a reason to believe they can eventually turn things around. However, building a better team around him requires difficult decisions. Holding onto aging veterans simply because the organization entered the season expecting to contend would be a mistake.

The Chargers do not need to launch a complete rebuild, but they do need to acknowledge reality. At 0-6, the priority should be finding young talent, adding draft picks and preparing for next season. If other teams are willing to offer something of value for players who might not be around in 2027, Hortiz needs to pick up the phone. The Chargers have already wasted enough of this season. They cannot afford to waste the opportunity to improve their future, too.