Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
Getty
(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers lost multiple starters in free agency.
However, they also acquired several new players to replace them, and still have a very talented roster overall. As we head toward next month’s draft, the Chargers will look to strengthen the few weak spots on their roster in order to make a deep postseason run in 2026.
One way they could do that is by making a trade, which Los Angeles has yet to do this offseason. Trades are a huge part of draft season, both before and during. Could the Chargers address one more need by adding another impact veteran player?
Los Angeles Chargers Urged to Trade for Cleveland Browns OL Zak Zinter
Cleveland Browns OL Zak Zinter
GettyBrowns OL Zak Zinter
The folks at Bleacher Report recently proposed one trade idea for each NFL team. Zinter, who played for Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan from 2020-2023, was suggested for Los Angeles.
“This offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers have signed two interior offensive linemen: guard Cole Strange and center Tyler Biadasz. Rather than continue to experiment with Trevor Penning at guard, they can add a player who’s familiar with head coach Jim Harbaugh. Zak Zinter played four collegiate terms under Harbaugh at Michigan. He was a consensus All-American in his senior year. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the third round of the 2024 draft. The Browns have a new coaching regime led by Todd Monken, an offensive-minded lead skipper who may have a different vision for the offense. Besides that, the Browns have signed Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson, two interior offensive linemen. Zinter has started in just three out of 22 games. So, he could have an uphill climb for a starting position in Cleveland. The Chargers can plug Zinter into the right guard spot where he lined up at Michigan, allowing Strange to start at left guard, a position he played in his first two seasons with the New England Patriots.”
Zinter hasn’t been able to consistently crack the Browns’ starting lineup throughout his first two seasons, and it appears he could be the odd man out with former Chargers guard Zion Johnson now with Cleveland. That could mean that Los Angeles wouldn’t have to give up much for Zinter, who knows and has thrived in Harbaugh’s offensive system.
Chargers Can Lean on Veterans Over Rookies in 2026
Are the Chargers hiding potential Herbert injuries?
GettyChargers HC Jim Harbaugh and QB Justin Herbert
Los Angeles could be hesitant to make a trade since it only has five picks in this year’s draft. Most would probably agree that building through the draft rather than free agency is the better strategy, but there are exceptions.
The Chargers’ crosstown counterpart Rams are a prime example of that. When the Rams won the Super Bowl during the 2021 season, they did so by spending big in free agency and making splash trades. They have repeated that formula during this offseason, and are projected to contend for another Super Bowl.
The Chargers’ Super Bowl window is currently wide open. The division rival Kansas City Chiefs are in rebuilding mode, and there is no runaway favorite in the AFC. Los Angeles shouldn’t shy away from spending money, which it still has plenty of, or making a key trade. If the Chargers don’t go all-in, they could miss their shot.