Los Angeles Chargers fans were clamoring for several different players, rumors were abounding, and the trade deadline had been circled on many calendars. Ultimately, Joe Hortiz and the Chargers chose not to pull the trigger on a deal and will stick with the team as it is currently comprised.
The opportunity for a deal was there. The Chargers could have used another wide receiver to strengthen this position. The Kansas City Chiefs (DeAndre Hopkins), Buffalo Bills (Amari Cooper), Baltimore Ravens (Diontae Johnson) and Pittsburgh Steelers (Mike Williams) all picked up a wide receiver before the deadline. The Chargers, who could have used one more than any of these teams, chose not to.
This could have been due to various reasons. Perhaps they felt the asking price was too high. Maybe they weren’t interested in the names that were being thrown around. Or maybe the Dallas Cowboys trade a fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Jonathan Mingo priced the Chargers out of the deal.
Names like KJ Osborn and Darius Slayton were in attendance, but no deal was made. The Steelers ended up offering a fifth-round pick to former Chargers receiver Mike Williams, a player the Chargers were linked to as a reunion possibility.
“Jets trade WR Mike Williams to Steelers for 2025 5th round pick”. (via @RapSheet + @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/JC6e7SM0ef
– NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Many Chargers fans may be wondering why the Chargers couldn’t make this deal happen, but maybe they just didn’t have much interest. Instead, the team will move forward with what they have.
Chargers WR Depth Chart – 2024 Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | T.D. |
| Ladd McConkey | 35 | 440 | 4 |
| Joshua Palmer | 17 | 306 | 1 |
| Quentin Johnston | 18 | 282 | 4 |
| Simi Fehoko | 6 | 106 | 0 |
| Jalen Reagor | 4 | 76 | 0 |
| Derius Davis | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| DJ Chark | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other players have been mentioned in a possible trade to the Chargers. New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young ended up staying put, as did Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome and tight end David Njoku.
Tre’Davious White of the Los Angeles Rams ended up being moved and the Baltimore Ravens got him at an affordable price. But ultimately, Hortiz decided he didn’t want to part with the team’s future draft capital.
Trade: The Rams send CB Tre’Davious White and a 2027 7th round pick to the Ravens for a 2026 7th round pick, per sources.
–Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2024
Charger exchange deadline note
Many Chargers fans probably groaned that the team chose not to be a buyer at the deadline, but it’s hard to argue with what Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh put together.
Despite a rather weak group of receivers, Justin Herbert played quite well and the team won. The Chargers would sit in 6th place in the AFC playoffs if the season ended today. There may have been an opportunity to add a piece now, but Hortiz chose not to tinker with things.
There’s an old saying that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s not broken.
Grade: B
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