Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[jamrock]

The reason why you trade QJ now or keep him comes down to one simple question, IMO.

Is QJ a player you want to option for a 5th year or sign to a second contract?

He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if they don’t pick up his option at around $16M fully guaranteed.

Plan B if they don’t option him or want him long term is trade him now.

Personally, I don’t think he is worth the option amount for next year or a second contract so I prefer trading him now.

This assumes someone wants to trade for him.

[WindsorUK]

The reason why you trade QJ now or keep him comes down to one simple question, IMO.

Is QJ a player you want to option for a 5th year or sign to a second contract?

He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if they don’t pick up his option at around $16M fully guaranteed.

Plan B if they don’t option him or want him long term is trade him now.

Personally, I don’t think he is worth the option amount for next year or a second contract so I prefer trading him now.

This!

Get something of value for him now, or lose him for nothing whilst he still has SOME value.

[jamrock]

Who is calling Joe Hortiz asking for QJ?

[Bolt4Knob]

Other than Oweh, Zion, maybe Mack - who most seem to want to re-sign, I don’t see the LAC FAs leaving that are going to win the 2026 comp game when he has $90M to spend. I wouldn’t alter his 2026 player acquisition strategy in the hope of maybe getting a R6 or R7 pick in 2027. There are no R3 FAs leaving imo. We’ll see

Oweh. Zion, Mack, St Juste, Hand , Pipkins and Salyer all could be players who sign contracts that meet the minimum AAV level for a comp pick

With respect to comp picks - I only do it if it makes sense
St. Juste out - sign a CB that was released - if they are a fit - in.
D'Shaun Hand out, a minimum level guy in and Elston works wonders with the player

Salyer and Pipkins out - maybe Hortiz signs an OL released for instance

That said, I wouldn't not sign a player that upgrades the roster just in hopes of getting a comp pick with that stupid formula the NFL has.
If Oweh signs a big money deal and Hortiz replaces him with a guy making under $10m - I think the Chargers would get the pick - no offset

[Bolt4Knob]

Who is calling Joe Hortiz asking for QJ?

If the value the Chargers are looking for is a 6th rounder, that probably creates more options. For instance, the Giants could lose Wandale Robinson, well they will (to the Titans it seems) - could they want a cheap flyer on QJ for 2.7m for a 6th rounder

If the value the Chargers wants is like a 4th, probably limits the market and that is when your question becomes valid

Chargers can also just pay him the 2.7m -- and if he blows it up, worry about that in 12 months

[Boltnut]

Other than Oweh, Zion, maybe Mack - who most seem to want to re-sign, I don’t see the LAC FAs leaving that are going to win the 2026 comp game when he has $90M to spend. I wouldn’t alter his 2026 player acquisition strategy in the hope of maybe getting a R6 or R7 pick in 2027. There are no R3 FAs leaving imo. We’ll see

You're probably right... it depends on JH's approach. He could be letting guys like Oweh/Zion/Mack test the market... then re-sign them anyways (if the price is right). Every guy they re-sign won't count against the comp formula. Maybe they only sign a couple of free agents from other teams... maybe they wait for more cuts...

Rumors are that certain positions (OL/DL) will be coveted and over-paid for. If that happens, I imagine Joe won't fall for that.
My hope is that we re-sign Mack (cheaper than Oweh?) and sign an OG (Zion... or better...?).

But if we don't... I like the edge rushers in rounds 1 and 2. I like the IOL's in rounds 2, 3, and 4.
In that scenario... I think we bag some comp picks.

[Boltjolt]

Hortiz loves to kick the tires on an all electric 2026 GMC Hummer, then drive off in his '97 Chevy Silverado.

Loves driving up the price for others and then drives away with the Chevy

[Bolt4Knob]

You're probably right... it depends on JH's approach. He could be letting guys like Oweh/Zion/Mack test the market... then re-sign them anyways (if the price is right). Every guy they re-sign won't count against the comp formula. Maybe they only sign a couple of free agents from other teams... maybe they wait for more cuts...

Rumors are that certain positions (OL/DL) will be coveted and over-paid for. If that happens, I imagine Joe won't fall for that.
My hope is that we re-sign Mack (cheaper than Oweh?) and sign an OG (Zion... or better...?).

But if we don't... I like the edge rushers in rounds 1 and 2. I like the IOL's in rounds 2, 3, and 4.
In that scenario... I think we bag some comp picks.

If they bring back Zion, Oweh and Mack - the chances for anything other than maybe a 7th round comp pick go exponentially up.

[CanadianBoltFan]

If they bring back Zion, Oweh and Mack - the chances for anything other than maybe a 7th round comp pick go exponentially up.

Comp picks are a nice bonus...but the Chargers need to get serious about winning a playoff game this year

[Boltnut]

If they bring back Zion, Oweh and Mack - the chances for anything other than maybe a 7th round comp pick go exponentially up.

I think they'll bring back one of those guys... probably Mack... maybe Zion.
If all three get what they're reportedly asking for... they might all be gone.
With loads of free agent money... they could just target other positions for cheaper... IDL, LB, CB, TE... then draft edge and IOL.

1st: Edge Akheem Mesidor
2nd: Edge Derrick Moore
3rd: IOL Brian Parker
4th: IOL Pat Coogan

[Jack Burton]

I think they'll bring back one of those guys... probably Mack... maybe Zion.
If all three get what they're reportedly asking for... they might all be gone.
With loads of free agent money... they could just target other positions for cheaper... IDL, LB, CB, TE... then draft edge and IOL.

1st: Edge Akheem Mesidor
2nd: Edge Derrick Moore
3rd: IOL Brian Parker
4th: IOL Pat Coogan

What do they do with the loads of FA money though? That’s a good draft BTW.

[Boltnut]

What do they do with the loads of FA money though? That’s a good draft BTW.

They could go out and sign DT's to start with. A number of people think we should draft defensive tackle... Woods, Banks, McDonald, Hunter. But free agent defensive tackles are a better value than IOL's or edge rushers. John Franklin-Meyers, David Onyemata, DJ Reader, Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle... there are even older, short-term players like Cameron Jordan or Calais Campbell that are still playing at a very high level.

TE is another position we're light on and many believe we should target in the draft. Likely, Otton, Okonkwo, Goedert, Jonnu Smith... Travis Kelce (LOL!).

CB is a position that Hortiz seems to be very good at targeting, too. You've got some free agent CB's.. Flott, Watson, McCreary, Woolen, Taylor, Jobe, *******...

LB: Many value players... if you wanted to make a big splash (and spend a lot on 1 player)... Devin Lloyd. I think O'Leary (and his love of pressure) would love to use Lloyd all over the field.

Basically, any position that people are talking about as draft targets... can be had in free agency... if you are not over-spending for Mack Oweh, Zion...