The Los Angeles Chargers are the NFL‘s only winless team at 0-7, yet they’re turning away every rival general manager who calls about pass rusher Khalil Mack, quarterback Justin Herbert or wide receiver Ladd McConkey before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Mack isn’t going anywhere and that calls on Herbert, McConkey and others received “hard nos.” The Chargers also don’t want to send the message that they’re giving up on the season.
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Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh shut down the Mack chatter after the 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. “I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be here. He’s one of the pillars of our team,” Harbaugh said.
The 35-year-old edge rusher has three sacks and 21 total tackles through seven games, and he’s playing on a fully guaranteed $18 million, one-year deal he signed in March. That expiring contract makes him the type of veteran contenders usually target at the deadline, since he’s set to hit free agency again this offseason.
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Still, the Chargers would rather keep the leadership Mack brings in his fifth season with the franchise than collect draft capital for half a season of his services. Harbaugh also said personnel calls belong to the front office. “I’m focused on the Texans,” Harbaugh said.
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Herbert’s slump hasn’t changed how the front office views its franchise quarterback. The 28-year-old leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, and the offense has gone 27 straight drives without a touchdown.
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Other reporting suggests Herbert is on the table but only at a huge asking price. Herbert is signed through 2029, and one front-office executive said a trade would require at least three first-round picks along with lower selections or established players.
Rams safety Quentin Lake piled on this week, saying on a podcast that Herbert “was throwing deli meat out there.” Harbaugh brushed off the criticism Wednesday. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, that’s not what I see,” Harbaugh said.
McConkey is the other untouchable piece of the offense. Insider Tom Pelissero noted the 24-year-old slot receiver is in the third year of his rookie contract and called him “arguably the most important piece of the Chargers offense besides quarterback Justin Herbert.” Injuries have limited McConkey for much of the season, so the Chargers want a full 10-game look at him in Mike McDaniel’s offense before making any long-term judgment.
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The 0-7 start is the franchise’s worst since 2000, but the organization still believes it can turn things around and play meaningful football late in the season. That belief faces a test today when Houston (2-5) visits SoFi Stadium coming off its bye.
After the Texans, Los Angeles travels to Baltimore for a Monday night game Nov. 16 before home dates with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Kickoff against Houston is set for 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
The deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and every deal across the league lands in our 2026 NFL trade deadline tracker.
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