Los Angeles Chargers Shouldn’t Resist Justin Herbert Trade

As the Los Angeles Chargers have tripped all over themselves to start the 2026 NFL season, speculation has turned up about a potential Justin Herbert trade.

Of course, the Chargers immediately shut down that speculation. But should they?

This is Year 7 for Herbert in Los Angeles. He still doesn’t have a playoff win. Based on talent and ability alone, the 28-year-old quarterback should be considered one of the best of this generation. But his inability to find postseason success with the Chargers paired with a winless start in 2026 raises fair questions about his future.

The Chargers shouldn’t resist a potential Herbert trade this offseason.

Gasp.

They have a lot of holes on that roster. The Chargers aren’t a very good football team.

Look at the last two NFL drafts. Barely any quarterbacks selected in Round 1. This offseason, the demand could finally outweigh the supply. If a team came calling with three first-round draft picks and a willingness to absorb Herbet’s contract, couldn’t a trade make sense?

In 2025, Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart were the only first-round quarterbacks selected. If the Tennessee Titans continue to struggle, they could decide to move on from Ward after just two seasons. In 2026, Fernando Mendoza was the only first-round pick that will play this season, as the Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson to be the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford.

This offseason, there are at least five obvious teams who would be looking for a quarterback.

Imagine Herbert on the Atlanta Falcons with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts? Kevin Stefanski has already dealt with being without three draft selections once.

Or how about in New York with Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and an improving defense? The Jets have three first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft. While it would be tough to trade Herbert in the AFC, the Chargers stealing all of New York’s picks would give them four solid first-round selections – plenty of ammo to trade up for whatever quarterback they wanted and snag some impact skill position or defensive players, too.

When the Houston Texans traded Deshaun Watson, it was the sparkplug that helped them create one of the best defenses of this era.

The Chargers aren’t a good team right now. Even though Jim Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brought big expectations, this isn’t showing many signs of working.

Don’t turn your nose up at a Herbert trade, Los Angeles. You never know when it might be time.