Chargers Expecting Turnaround, Rebuffing Trade Inquiries

After all, the Chargers posted 11-6 records and earned playoff berths in both of the first two years of the Hortiz/Jim Harbaugh era, the team expected some growing pains as the offense adapted to new OC Mike McDaniel’s scheme, and the defense has begun to play better. Both Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) say no major changes to the coaching staff are expected, and Rapoport echoes Pelissero’s report that the club is anticipating a reversal of fortunes and is not currently interested in making seller-type moves.

Given his age (35) and the fact that he is on a one-year contract, Mack is perhaps the most obvious trade candidate on the Bolts’ roster, though his own comments underscore the organizational optimism. When recently asked why he does not actively “ring chase” (i.e. ask for a trade to a contender), Mack replied, “we’re still ring chasing here” and said he has “total faith” in the team (via ESPN’s Anthony Gharib). He added, “I’m focused on this team and what I’m doing right now. … I feel like the outside noise is the outside noise.”

Of course, an 0-5 start is a significant hurdle to overcome, and Los Angeles will be hard-pressed to avoid falling to 0-6 on Sunday, when the club faces the resurgent Chiefs. A victory would support the notion that a playoff push is still a realistic possibility, while a loss would likely increase the number of calls Hortiz will be forced to field.

Aside from Mack, aging, contract-year players like Bud Dupree, Denzel Perryman, and Dalvin Tomlinson are natural candidates to be dealt (assuming they are healthy). Along with that group, Pelissero names younger skill-position talent like Johnston, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal as players rival exes could target.

Tuipulotu is technically in a contract year and would doubtlessly generate considerable interest if Hortiz were to make him available. However, his trade value may be impacted by the fact that an acquiring club would need to authorize a big-ticket extension or be prepared to use the franchise tag on him, and Hortiz may see the 24-year-old pass rusher as an important member of the Chargers’ core.

His comments about his faith in the team notwithstanding, Mack is “as good as gone,” per Jason La Canfora of Casino.org. Although star safety Derwin James recently signed a lucrative three-year extension that keeps him under club control through 2029, La Canfora says it would not be surprising to see the Chargers move him if a bidding war should emerge.