Why Chargers rejecting trade inquiries amid winless start is a mistake originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Chargers, heading into Week 6 against an undefeated Kansas City Chiefs team, are currently 0-5 on the year. To say things are going poorly for the Chargers would be an understatement.
It would take a miracle for the Chargers to dig themselves out of this hole and make the playoffs. So, it should come as little surprise that there are teams making calls about whether the Chargers will be trading their players this season.
However, Tom Pelissero of The Ringer revealed that the Chargers are shutting down those trade calls right now. But that's a mistake. Instead of turning down those trade inquiries, the Chargers should be listening to those calls with the intention of selling.
Why Chargers are making a mistake not listening to trade inquiries
"Teams are calling Chargers GM Joe Horitz, who has told multiple GMs the same thing about any potential trade offers: We're not interested," Pelissero reports.
That mindset from the Chargers is understandable to a certain degree, as it is only Week 5, and there's still plenty of season left to go.
However, considering the Chargers are 0-5 and the lengthy list of injuries to key players, selling this season would actually make more sense than not.
There's bound to be players who'll draw serious interest by this year's trade deadline. Khalil Mack is one player who, likely in his last NFL season on a one-year deal, would make perfect sense as a trade candidate.
Pelissero highlighted a few names that the Chargers could realistically trade by the November 10 trade deadline: Bud Dupree, Daiyan Henley, Donte Jackson, Denzel Perryman, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Tuli Tuipulotu.
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Quinten Johnston and potentially Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are names to watch as trade candidates that are a bit more unlikely to be dealt than the others.
At 0-5 through five weeks, and with the horrendous vibes going around the team right now, selling would not be a surprise whatsoever.
But the Chargers' GM is shutting down trade inquiries right now. However, a loss in Week 6 to the Chiefs might finally change the tune from the Chargers' front office.
Los Angeles should get out in front of the market and sell all the pieces they can. This year's team isn't going to work, and while it's a shame considering the massive hype coming into the year, selling is the right call for this team.
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