The Los Angeles Chargers remain winless after a 23-17 defeat to the Denver Broncos on Sunday dropped them to 0-5. Justin Herbert absorbed five sacks in the loss, intensifying external scrutiny of the franchise’s direction. A new report from within the organization, however, makes clear the team’s unwavering commitment to its star quarterback amid the growing speculation.
Chargers reject Justin Herbert trade talk
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that a high-level league executive floated a bold hypothetical: the Chargers could receive three first-round picks for Herbert if they made the quarterback available.
Schefter took the idea directly to a source inside the organization. The response was immediate and absolute. The person cut him off mid-sentence, stopped him in his tracks, and shut the topic down completely.
Schefter’s source stated: “The sentence ‘Should we trade Justin Herbert’ has never once been uttered in our organization, nor will it be.” That firm stance carries significant weight with the Nov. 10 trade deadline less than four weeks away.
While other have debated whether Justin Herbert should be traded, the Chargers have not.
Cc: @tyschmit
https://t.co/9tlm7cvFNz https://t.co/Yuk4jNSKhK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2026
Outside the building, speculation continues. FS1’s Nick Wright said he would deal Herbert for three first-round selections, identifying the New York Jets as a logical landing spot.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler pointed to other potential deadline candidates on the Chargers roster, naming edge rusher Khalil Mack, safety Derwin James Jr., and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu instead of the franchise quarterback.
Herbert’s contract further complicates any theoretical move. His five-year, $262.5 million extension runs through 2029 and reportedly includes a full no-trade clause, meaning any deal would require his personal approval. Combined with the substantial dead-cap implications of a trade, the barriers remain high.
The numbers behind Herbert’s rough start help explain why the external noise grew so loud in the first place, yet the Chargers’ internal position remains unchanged: their star passer is not available.
Why Justin Herbert’s rough start has fueled the trade noise
Herbert has played well below his own standard. Through five games, he has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. The seven picks lead the league.
The Broncos loss showed the problem. Herbert threw for 121 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and he lost a fumble. The offense averages 16.8 points per game, which ranks 30th.
Jim Harbaugh and new coordinator Mike McDaniel expected a team in the playoff mix, not a winless one. Herbert has added 142 rushing yards on 24 carries, but that has not lifted the offense.
Still, the message from inside the building is steady: Herbert remains the quarterback, no matter the record. The Chargers also signed veteran quarterbackJake Browning this week as a backup.
The Chargers (0-5) visit the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes leads a Chiefs offense scoring 29.5 points per game, while Herbert and the Chargers try to avoid an 0-6 hole.
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- “Shedeur Sanders Asking For A Trade”: NFL Fans React As Browns QB Makes Major Move Amid Uncertain Future
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