Jim Harbaugh leaves the door open to the Chargers being sellers at the trade deadline

With just hours to go until the 2026 NFL trade deadline, the Chargers are not expected to be active. Per ESPN's reporting over the weekend, they're not trading EDGE Khalil Mack. Maybe there will be other deals out there for them, but the Chargers reportedly "don't like the message" that selling at the deadline sends.

But 0-8 is 0-8. At some point, something has to give. Even if Mack is supposedly off limits, the Chargers have other players that could easily be traded for day 3 draft compensation. Los Angeles should frankly be willing to take calls on all non-rookie contract players not named Justin Herbert.

Jim Harbaugh doesn't rule out the possibility of trading rostered players for future draft picks.

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was asked about the trade deadline yesterday. Compared to the tone that's been previously reported on Los Angeles being unwilling to sell, Harbaugh didn't explicitly rule it out.

"If something makes sense that will make our team better, now or in the future, Joe Hortiz is going to be open and active in pursuing that," Harbaugh said to reporters on Monday.

The phrase "In the future" in that answer at least leaves the door open to GM Joe Hortiz taking calls as sellers. Perhaps no deal ends up materializing, but I'd rather the Chargers act responsibly at the deadline compared to what their current reported approach has been.

Harbaugh interestingly brought up Hortiz's two preseason trades for future draft picks on 53-man roster cutdown day. The Chargers traded CB Avery Smith to the Seahawks for a 2027 sixth-round pick. DT TeRah Edwards was also traded to the Panthers for a 2028 sixth-round selection. "I've never been around a more active person when it comes to trying to make our team better as a general manager," Harbaugh said of Hortiz.

This doesn't mean the Chargers are going to have a fire sale. It doesn't even necessarily guarantee them making one trade. But these comments do run counter to the media's reporting over the last few weeks. Maybe there's a chance Hortiz was waiting until deadline day for some leverage in talks.

It would truly be insane for the Chargers to not at least consider trades. This front office and coaching staff need to do what's best for the future. Maybe there's a chance they're not here next season, but they still currently hold their jobs. A world where the team got some draft capital at the deadline and had a better second half of the season might secure their positions.

The Chargers currently have eight projected draft picks in 2027. There's no reason that Hortiz and Harbaugh shouldn't attempt to add to that war chest today. And these comments seem to indicate there's at least a chance they will.

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