The Los Angeles Chargers are off to a disastrous start to the 2026 NFL season, sitting at 0-5 amid mounting injuries and growing questions about the team’s direction. Despite their struggles, the Chargers have reportedly rejected trade calls and, for now, have no plans to hold a fire sale before the deadline.
That stance has drawn criticism from former Chargers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko, who accused general manager Joe Hortiz and the organization of misleading the public about their intentions.
Breiden Fehoko Accuses the Los Angeles Chargers of Hiding Their Trade Plans
Fehoko, who spent three seasons with the Chargers, did not hold back when responding to reports that the team had rejected trade calls and was not planning a fire sale.
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“This is a blatant lie. Joe Hortiz is trying to save his [Explicit] by saying they’ll turn it around. They’re 100% fielding calls behind the scenes. Hortiz & co. are saving face for the media, which they care about. This team is toxic, and this fanbase deserves better,” Fehoko wrote on X.
His criticism comes as Los Angeles struggles to keep its roster healthy. More than half of the team’s original 53-man roster has either landed on Injured Reserve (IR) or appeared on the weekly injury report, leaving the coaching staff with limited options.
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The injury crisis has been particularly damaging to the offensive line. The Chargers have been forced to rely on a rookie-heavy unit, starting four rookies in Week 5: Travis Burke at left tackle, Logan Taylor at left guard, Jake Slaughter at center, and Alex Harkey at right tackle, alongside veteran right guard Cole Strange.
The constant changes have made it difficult for quarterback Justin Herbert to find a rhythm, adding to the team’s offensive struggles.
Herbert has completed 85 of 143 passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions through five games. He has also been sacked 17 times, highlighting the problems Los Angeles has faced in protecting its quarterback.
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Herbert’s struggles are reflected in his 60.6 grade on PFN’s NFL QB Impact metric, the lowest among 34 eligible quarterbacks. However, with his contract running through 2029, trading him would be a complicated decision for the Chargers.
Other veterans could be more realistic trade candidates as the deadline approaches. Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Denzel Perryman, and Donte Jackson are among the players who could attract interest from other teams, depending on Los Angeles’ plans and the offers it receives.
The Chargers’ resolve faces an ultimate reality check as they prepare to face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Falling to 0-6 right before their bye week would make holding onto expiring veteran contracts increasingly difficult to justify strategically.
If the Chiefs hand Los Angeles another loss, expect the public posture of “not selling” to crumble rapidly under the weight of reality before the trade deadline expires.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.