The LA Chargers are 0-7, are currently slated for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and for reasons beyond comprehension, aren't interested in trading away talent at the NFL trade deadline.
Every report about the Chargers leading into next Tuesday's deadline is that the team has no interest in trading away assets at the deadline. This was reinforced on Monday after another touchdown-less loss, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting that the Bolts have given no indication whatsoever that they are willing to trade.
Could this all be an elaborate smokescreen by leakers in the front office to maximize the Chargers' trade returns? Maybe. The more likely outcome, and the reasoning behind it, is far more dystopian, however. The Chargers may be serious about standing pat at the deadline, potentially because of Joe Hortiz's flawed approach to building a roster.
Joe Hortiz's obsession with compensatory picks could cost the Chargers at the deadline
If you've followed the Chargers at all since Hortiz was hired in 2024, you know how much the GM loves compensatory picks. To be fair, extra draft capital is always a plus and compensatory picks do have intrinsic value for teams.
They've been over-prioritized in Los Angeles, however. Hortiz has allowed his desire for compensatory picks to dictate what the Chargers do in free agency. Free agents often only make sense if they don't impact the comp formula. The prospect of getting a third-round pick for Odafe Oweh leaving last offseason potentially paralyzed the Chargers in free agency.
Now we are potentially seeing the trickle-down effect happen at the deadline. Hortiz and the Chargers may be stubborn at the deadline not because the team believes it can win out and win the Super Bowl, but because Hortiz expects the team to get compensatory picks for any players they could trade now.
Instead of trading Khalil Mack for a mid-round pick now, the Chargers can hold on and reap the rewards in free agency. Los Angeles gets a full season of Mack plus the benefit of the pick in the future. The same could (theoretically) be said for Tuli Tuipulotu, Donte Jackson, Daiyan Henley, and any valuable asset that is on an expiring contract.
There are only two ways to interpret the Chargers staying inactive at the deadline if that's the path the team takes. Hortiz is either playing the compensatory pick game, or he is completely ignorant to the current state of the team. The former may actually be worse than the latter.
Joe Hortiz holding out for compensatory picks is malpractice
There are multiple reasons why potentially holding out for comp picks is a disastrous game plan for the Chargers.
First is the timeline. Any comp picks for departing free agents in 2027 would convert in 2028. By trading assets now, the Chargers can likely secure draft capital in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft. With so many roster holes to fill, getting immediate help should be the front office's M.O.
There's also no guarantee the Chargers will even get compensatory picks for these players. Signings have to meet a certain financial criterion for the Chargers to receive assets and there's no guarantee that will happen. Plus, a one-year contract that Mack signs may only give the Chargers a fifth-round pick, whereas they potentially could have traded him for more to a hungry contender.
That's also assuming the departing free agents sign before the 2027 NFL Draft. If Mack (or anyone in this case) waits until after the draft is held, the Chargers don't get a pick at all. It's a completely wasted asset.
There's also the question of how it will impact the Chargers in free agency. Let's say the Chargers do get a compensatory fifth-round pick for Mack. Hortiz would do everything in his power not to lose that pick. As such, the Chargers would be bargain shopping once again despite having the monetary resources to actually add depth.
What's better than working around the fringes to maybe keep a compensatory pick? Just trading the player now for guaranteed draft capital, opening yourself up for more flexibility in the free-agent market.
Compensatory picks haven't even helped the Chargers much
The front office's track record with compensatory assets hardly justifies this devotion:
- 2025 NFL Draft: The Chargers received picks No. 209, No. 214, and No. 256. Hortiz packaged No. 209 to move up for tight end Oronde Gadsden II, who has struggled to carve out a consistent role despite a promising rookie season. The remaining selections yielded rotational safety R.J. Mickens and cornerback Trikweze Bridges, the latter of whom is no longer on the Chargers.
- 2026 NFL Draft: Despite free-agent maneuvering, the Chargers received zero compensatory selections. This shortfall appeared to paralyze Hortiz during the subsequent free-agent cycle.
Refusing to trade players at the deadline represents clear organizational malpractice. Yet with future compensatory picks dangling as Hortiz’s perennial carrot, staying idle appears to be the path the front office has chosen.
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