COSTA MESA — Now that the NFL trade deadline can be measured in days rather than weeks or months, would the Chargers be willing to make a significant move to ignite a turnaround to their lackluster season before Tuesday at 1 p.m. (PDT)? Or will they follow their usual method of operation?
“Just like every season, we’ll be with the other 31 teams trying to do what’s best for our team,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said earlier this week when asked how active the team might be going into the deadline, with 10 games remaining after Sunday night’s contest against the Chicago Bears.
In fact, the Chargers have been among the league’s least active teams during Staley’s three-year tenure. They have made one trade this year, sending cornerback J.C. Jackson to the New England Patriots, two last year, which included acquiring edge rusher Khalil Mack from the Bears, and one in 2021.
It would seem the Chargers (2-4) could use help at a number of positions because of season-ending injuries to key players. What’s more, they would appear to be buyers rather than sellers judging by recent comments that they believe their best football is ahead of them.
No question, they haven’t given up on the 2023 season. In fact, Staley sounded a defiant tone when asked earlier this week about his state of mind after losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. He said he believed the Chargers were a quality team, capable of improvement.
Staley also said he wasn’t worried about his job status.
“We’re six games into the season,” he said. “I’ll have a much better picture of that when we’re 17 games in (and the regular season is over), not six.”
Still, the pressure ratcheted up after the Chargers failed to meet expectations, losing their first two before winning the two after that (barely) and then losing their most recent two. It was anticipated that the Chargers would have a winning record by now and be on the heels of the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Staley hasn’t lost faith, however.
“We know the quality that we have,” he said during a pointed question-and-answer session. “We have seen it in spurts. The way that the season has started hasn’t been what many would have envisioned on our team, but it doesn’t take away from the belief that we have in us making it happen. I think that those of us that are here on a day-to-day basis understand that better than those who aren’t.”
So, where could the Chargers’ improve through a trade before Tuesday?
They could use a playmaker to replace wide receiver Mike Williams, who is sidelined for the rest of the season because of a knee injury sustained in Week 3. Or they could use a tight end who excels at blocking to bolster the run game. Or they could use a veteran cornerback after trading Jackson.
Will they make a move?
Or will they stand pat, as they did last year at the deadline? Last season, they gained momentum suddenly and certainly after they were a pedestrian 6-6 and seemed destined for an early vacation. Instead, they rebounded with four consecutive victories and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season.
Stay tuned. All will be revealed soon enough.
PALMER UPDATE
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer worked off to the side during the portion of practice open to reporters Friday, wearing a neoprene sleeve on his injured right knee as he went through a series of short sprints. His availability for Sunday’s game against the Bears was said to be questionable.
“It’ll be a game-time decision,” Staley said.
If Palmer can’t play, the Chargers would be without two of their top three wide receivers, with Williams also sidelined. Quentin Johnston, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick, would likely slot into Palmer’s role as quarterback Justin Herbert’s second option behind top target Keenan Allen.
Johnston’s role in the Chargers’ offense has been limited during his first six NFL games after a standout career at TCU. He has seven catches for 64 yards, an average of 9.1 yards per reception. He caught one pass for 20 yards during the Chargers’ loss Sunday to Kansas City.
“I feel like his alignment and assignment are improving,” Staley said. “He’s playing with confidence. I thought that (Sunday) was a step forward for him. If he continues to take the practice field the way that he has, you’re going to continue to see the improvement. That is all that he needs to be focused on.”