The 2026 NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and no team around the league is ready to waive the proverbial white flag after the first full month of the season. However, as contenders look around the NFL, there’s reportedly one club in particular that general managers are eyeing as a potential seller in November.
Ralph Vacchiano of [FOX Sports](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-trade-deadline-rumors-marvin-harrison-brian-thomas-chris-godwin-quentin-johnston-jerry-jeudy) spoke to executives around the league about teams they are keeping an eye on to be sellers at the NFL trade deadline. One popular name that came up was the Los Angeles Chargers, with an unidentified executive shedding light as to why.
> “They are the most likely team to pull the plug. Maybe Tampa (also 0-4) is another one, but the Chargers are intriguing because they’ve got some players there. A lot of us thought they’d be good — or at least a lot better than they’ve shown.”
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> Anonymous NFL executive on why the Los Angeles Chargers could be sellers at the trade deadline
Los Angeles certainly still has ambitions of turning its season around. Entering Week 5 with an 0-4 record, winning the AFC West feels out of the question as the club is four games back of the Kansas City Chiefs and could drop five games back with a loss on Sunday. A more realistic ambition, however, would be the No. 7 wild card spot with the 2-2 New England Patriots currently holding it.
However, the Chargers schedule is doing them no favors. They are underdogs this weekend at home against the Denver Broncos and then travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6 to face the Chiefs. After that, it’s a bye week followed by matchups against the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans.
It’s well within the realm of possibility that the Chargers are 0-8 ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10. If that’s the case, or even if the team is 1-7, making the playoffs is out of the question. At that point, general manager Joe Hortiz might simply want to secure as much draft capital as he can for the upcoming offseason.
Who would the Chargers trade? Edge rusher Khalil Mack and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson are on expiring contracts and the two veterans would likely generate some interest. Teams would also inquire on the availability of wide receiver Quentin Johnston and potentially gauge if the Chargers are willing to move edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu since he’s eligible for NFL free agency in 2027.
Los Angeles does have all of its own picks in the first five rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft, so acquiring more draft capital could allow the front office to move around the board more easily come draft night. Given the direction this season is headed, operating as sellers and building for the future might be the only way for the franchise to make something out of a disastrous season.