Chargers trade deadline plan with Khalil Mack makes zero sense

Chargers trade deadline plan with Khalil Mack makes zero sense originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . There are plenty of NFL teams likely to be sellers come the trade deadline on Tuesday, November 10. The Los Angeles Chargers , currently at 0-7 entering play in Week 9 against the Houston Texans , would seem like an obvious seller. However, the reporting coming out over the past week or so leading up to the trade deadline has indicated they aren't looking to be major sellers. It's an odd update for the Chargers, and it got a lot more baffling with regard to Khalil Mack. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport , the Chargers have decided they will not be trading Mack. Despite being such an obvious trade candidate, the Chargers plan to keep Mack in a decision that makes absolutely zero sense. Chargers trade deadline decision with Khalil Mack makes zero sense "Despite their 0-7 record, the Los Angeles Chargers continue to tell teams that they have no interest in trading Khalil Mack, and the veteran pass rusher will not be going anywhere before Tuesday's deadline, according to sources," Schefter and Rapoport report. This is a very strange report from these ESPN insiders, as Mack is about as textbook of a trade deadline candidate as a player can get. He's a veteran player who still has a ton of value, who plays a premier position, and will be a free agent after this season on a team with a horrible record. Everything indicates that Mack is a trade candidate this season. But the Chargers, despite a 0-7 record, don't have plans to trade Mack. Teams like the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers likely would make strong offers to pry Mack from the Chargers, and they still might make attempts up until the deadline passes. MORE :  4 stats that show how bad Chargers' Justin Herbert has been in 2026 But based on this report, the Chargers plan to keep him. Jim Harbaugh told reporters that "I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be here." This is a lost season for the Chargers, and they need to look towards the future. Trading Mack for a mid-round pick would be a great way of doing that. Schefter and Rapoport noted that the Chargers are planning to keep Mack in part because of the leadership and talent he brings to the team. While the Chargers keeping players like Omarion Hampton, Justin Herbert, and Ladd McConkey makes perfect sense, not trading Mack is a baffling decision. There's time for the Chargers to change their minds, but if they aren't willing to trade Mack at 0-7, it's hard to imagine this team being open to a trade if they lose in Week 9 to drop to 0-8 on the year before the deadline. Not trading Mack away at the deadline makes zero sense, when he fits the bill of an ideal trade deadline candidate. But, based on this report, it seems Mack will stick in Los Angeles for the remainder of the 2026 season. More NFL news: NFL insiders reveal four landing spots for Colts ’ Jonathan Taylor Joe Burrow joins rare NFL history with six touchdowns despite three interceptions Jayden Daniels snaps unbelievable drought with Commanders' win over Eagles Why it's time for Colts to move on from Shane Steichen and Daniel Jones Jerry Jones defends Brian Schottenheimer after Cowboys collapse vs. Cardinals