Should the Chargers Look to Trade Their Veterans?

The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-4, their season is quickly going down the toilet and it may be time for the organization to start thinking beyond 2026.

After entering the season with legitimate expectations of competing in the AFC, Los Angeles has looked nothing like a contender. The offense has struggled to consistently move the ball and the team has now lost its first four games. At this point, the Chargers need to be realistic about where this season is headed.

That could mean looking into the trade market for some of their veteran players.

The obvious name is Khalil Mack.

Mack is 35 years old and is playing on an expiring contract, but he has shown that he can still be productive. He already has three sacks through four games and remains one of the Chargers’ most valuable defensive players.

If the Chargers are not going to compete for a playoff spot, there is little reason to hold onto a veteran who could potentially help a contending team. Mack has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish in his career and this could be an opportunity for him to go play for a team with a legitimate chance to win a championship.

The Chargers may not get a huge return for Mack. A Day 3 pick could realistically be the ceiling, but even that could be worth it for a team that needs to start thinking about the future.

The more complicated name is Derwin James.

James is one of the most important players on the Chargers’ defense and is still playing at a high level. He signed a three-year, $75.6 million extension earlier this year that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

Trading him would obviously send a much bigger message than trading Mack. James is also younger and could still be an important part of the next competitive Chargers team.

However, if Los Angeles truly believes it needs to rebuild rather than simply reload, the team should at least listen to offers. The return would have to be significant for the Chargers to even consider moving him, especially after just giving him a massive extension.

There is also no reason to panic and trade every veteran on the roster. The Chargers still have plenty of young players they can build around, including Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey and others. The goal should be to identify which veterans can realistically be part of the next winning team and which ones could bring back valuable draft capital.

Mack feels like the obvious candidate.

James is a much tougher decision.

But with the Chargers sitting at 0-4 and their season already in serious trouble, the front office cannot afford to pretend everything is going to magically turn around. If there are teams willing to give up meaningful draft capital for veteran players, the Chargers should at least pick up the phone.