EL SEGUNDO – The NFL trade deadline came down to need versus want for the Chargers.
Yes, the Chargers wanted to add a player to a team that has emerged as a playoff contender with a 5-3 record and a second-place finish in the AFC West, coach Jim Harbaugh said. No, they didn’t necessarily have to add a player to their roster before Tuesday’s deadline at 1:00 PM PT.
So the Chargers took no action.
“I don’t think Joe saw where we needed a player at any position,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, referring to Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz. “We love the boys. We feel good about every job group. Then it becomes wanting. Did we want someone? Yes. Did Joe want someone? Then let Batman do his job.”
Harbaugh often refers to himself as Robin and to Hortiz as Batman.
“That’s the way we’re going about it,” Harbaugh said of the Chargers’ approach to the trade deadline, which saw a number of players move around the league on Tuesday. “The proof is in the pudding. We love our boys. We love the players on this team and the direction this team is going.”
Conventional wisdom suggested the Chargers needed depth at wide receiver and cornerback, two positions that have been depleted by injuries in recent weeks. But a modest two-game winning streak, with comprehensive victories over the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, indicated that moves were not necessary.
The emergence of rookie Ladd McConkey as a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert and the return of Quentin Johnston from an ankle injury obviated the need to acquire another receiver. Additionally, McConkey and Johnston had career-best 100-yard receiving games in consecutive weeks.
McConkey had six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the saints.
Johnston had four catches for 118 yards and one touchdown against the Browns.
Additionally, veteran DJ Chark looks set to make his Chargers debut on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans after being sidelined through the first eight games of the season with injuries. If he is available to play next week, it would almost be like acquiring a new wide receiver at the deadline.
As for cornerbacks, rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have slipped seamlessly into the starting lineup following injuries to veterans Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton. Still had it his first career interception on Sunday and also deflected a pass into the hands of teammate Elijah Molden for another interception.
Ultimately, wide receiver Mike Williams was traded from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers rather than returning to the Chargers, who jettisoned him during the offseason in a cost-cutting move. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was dealt by the Saints to the Washington Commanders.
No doubt calls were made and handled and due diligence was conducted.
But no deals were made.
“I think they have complete confidence in us, confidence that we have the right guys and the right pieces,” Herbert said of Harbaugh, Hortiz and the Chargers’ front office when asked about the team’s inactivity on the deadline . “We certainly feel like we are on the right track. I think it’s a good sign.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Chargers placed wide receiver Simi Fehoko (elbow) and linebacker Junior Colson (ankle) on injured reserve. They were injured on Sunday. The Chargers also signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor to the active roster from the practice squad, released tight end Eric Tomlinson and then signed him to the practice squad. …
Additionally, the Chargers also signed linebacker Shaquille Quarterman to the practice squad and released tight end McCallan Castles from the practice squad. Quarterman appeared in the first three games of the season for the Chargers and also made one appearance for the Carolina Panthers. …
Harbaugh said he expected the 21-day window for Gus Edwards’ return from injured reserve to begin this week. Edwards sat out the past four games due to an ankle injury.
Originally published: November 6, 2024 at 4:50 PM PST