After an 0-5 start to the 2026 season, it might be time to have some difficult and uncomfortable conversations about the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert.
Could major changes be looming in the 2027 offseason?
It seems like an unfathomable conversation, given the fact that folks felt like the Chargers could come out of the AFC before the start of the season, and that Herbert would be in the MVP conversation. But it wouldn't be the first time a big-name quarterback has popped up in trade speculation talks, and it won't be the last.
While it may have been absurd, at one point, to even think of the idea that the Chargers could trade Herbert, it might not be out of the question in the not-so-distant future.
Justin Herbert could be on the trade block if the Chargers keep losing
🚨This is a serious question. It is not for content or memes. I am legitimately interested in the public opinion.🚨
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 12, 2026
Justin Herbert is 28 years old. He's got four years left on his deal (+ no trade clause) worth $24M, $36M, $52M, $50.5M.
What would you offer in trade for him?
If the Chargers were ever going to entertain the idea of trading away Herbert, the 2027 offseason would have to be the time. His base salaries over the next couple of seasons are palatable, he's not yet 30 years old, and his combination of physical and athletic talent is undeniable.
He could easily fetch the Chargers the best trade return for a single player in NFL history...if they want to go that route.
And although it still feels a little bit "hot takey", they might.
If we look at the way the Chargers have tried to capitalize on this window they've been in with Herbert since he was drafted in 2020, they've done a lot to troubleshoot around him.
They went out and bucked organizational trends by paying big bucks for Jim Harbaugh to leave Michigan and become their head coach. They determined that the offensive scheme might be the problem in the 2026 offseason, so they went out and hired Mike McDaniel, who has had success pretty much everywhere else he's been, even if just for a window of time.
The Chargers have invested heavily in their defense. They have used a ton of premium NFL Draft real estate on the offensive line. They have used a handful of high picks on the offensive skill positions.
While Herbert can't control injuries to the offensive line or incompetence from his playmakers, at what point do the Chargers decide they need to hit the reset button?
It might be after this season, depending on how Herbert finishes.
He's having the worst season of his NFL career right now. He has had two absolutely atrocious games in a row in the postseason.
Again, not every fault of the Chargers right now should be placed on the shoulders of Justin Herbert, but when it comes to building a team in the NFL, sometimes you have to make difficult or borderline impossible decisions.
There are teams out there that would trade whatever it takes to get Herbert. The Chargers might even be able to pull off some type of Jared Goff/Matthew Stafford type of trade if they feel like getting an upgrade at the position is what they need.
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