Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Bolt4Knob]

I agree with you powderblueboy - playing the comp pick game out five years is a "bold strategy Cotton - we shall see if it pays off." The comp pick game is not an automatic, there are too many variable that are involved to count on Mesidor, or any playing, getting that comp pick. I see when QJ is mentioned -- like he is going to have a good year, get $15m+ AAV and the Chargers will get a 4th round comp pick. Not a guarantee at all

So if you want a comp pick for QJ in 2028 -- trade him now for 4th rounder in 2026 - it is better value and guaranteed.

[Boltjolt]

If we win A SB or two in those 5 years, will anyone care?
We are getting close. Like i said , it depends and there is a draft every year. .
Not saying its the new formula but in some cases for getting a great player,...it's a thing. We.didnt win anything with Joey in his 9 years.

[electricgold]

I agree with you powderblueboy - playing the comp pick game out five years is a "bold strategy Cotton - we shall see if it pays off." The comp pick game is not an automatic, there are too many variable that are involved to count on Mesidor, or any playing, getting that comp pick. I see when QJ is mentioned -- like he is going to have a good year, get $15m+ AAV and the Chargers will get a 4th round comp pick. Not a guarantee at all

So if you want a comp pick for QJ in 2028 -- trade him now for 4th rounder in 2026 - it is better value and guaranteed.

IF QJ is so good, and should of could of been a plus 1000, 10 plus TD WR and someone we would be foolish to trade away, WHY is he only considered to bring a 4th round pick??? IF our #1 WR only has the value of a 4th round pick, we definitely need to upgrade and move away from him and bring in a better WR.

Why are the Chargers so far not rushing to extend QJ and lock him down and pay him a nice contract. Maybe because he's not worth it.

[Boltjolt]

IF QJ is so good, and should of could of been a plus 1000, 10 plus TD WR and someone we would be foolish to trade away, WHY is he only considered to bring a 4th round pick??? IF our #1 WR only has the value of a 4th round pick, we definitely need to upgrade and move away from him and bring in a better WR.

Why are the Chargers so far not rushing to extend QJ and lock him down and pay him a nice contract. Maybe because he's not worth it.

Well for one thing. ....they don't need to rush an extension. He is going into year 4. Still have to decide his 5th year option.

[dmac_bolt]

IF QJ is so good, and should of could of been a plus 1000, 10 plus TD WR and someone we would be foolish to trade away, WHY is he only considered to bring a 4th round pick??? IF our #1 WR only has the value of a 4th round pick, we definitely need to upgrade and move away from him and bring in a better WR.

Why are the Chargers so far not rushing to extend QJ and lock him down and pay him a nice contract. Maybe because he's not worth it.

They have him for $2.8M base salary this year, you want them to throw $30M AAV at him early for … never mind. You don’t. You don’t try to distinguish the difference in value of a $3M receiver and a $30M receiver, just as you can’t let go of the fact he was drafted in Rd1.

There is no credible replacement plan for September 2026 opening day unless LAC uses their top draft pick and that means not a top Edge, OG, or other needed starter. There was no litany of great X receivers on the FA market for $3M. No plethora of great deep threat receivers on the market for $3M. A WR2/WR3 in Indy got $27M/yr. A WR3 in Seattle got $17M/yr?

They are also not replacing him with a 4th round WR unless they get very lucky. Eeveryone loves to point to a Puka example and ignore the dozens that didn’t pan out for every one Puka that did. Most 4th Rd WRs have flaws and take a year or two (+) to develop, otherwise they would be taken in Rd1. Any can’t-miss WR that plays a big X, which is our receiver room gap, is often gone long before pick #23.

QJ is a 2025 Charger, I could be alone in welcoming him again to this year’s team. But welcome him, I do.

(now watch Joe prove me wrong and trade him, lol!)

[electricgold]

They have him for $2.8M base salary this year, you want them to throw $30M AAV at him early for … never mind. You don’t. You don’t try to distinguish the difference in value of a $3M receiver and a $30M receiver, just as you can’t let go of the fact he was drafted in Rd1.

There is no credible replacement plan for September 2026 opening day unless LAC uses their top draft pick and that means not a top Edge, OG, or other needed starter. There was no litany of great X receivers on the FA market for $3M. No plethora of great deep threat receivers on the market for $3M. A WR2/WR3 in Indy got $27M/yr. A WR3 in Seattle got $17M/yr?

They are also not replacing him with a 4th round WR unless they get very lucky. Eeveryone loves to point to a Puka example and ignore the dozens that didn’t pan out for every one Puka that did. Most 4th Rd WRs have flaws and take a year or two (+) to develop, otherwise they would be taken in Rd1. Any can’t-miss WR that plays a big X, which is our receiver room gap, is often gone long before pick #23.

QJ is a 2025 Charger, I could be alone in welcoming him again to this year’s team. But welcome him, I do.

(now watch Joe prove me wrong and trade him, lol!)

What I mean is, the Chargers if they don't trade him are probably going to do the same thing they did with Zion Johnson. Not extend him and then lose him in free agency.

If we keep him I hope he at the very least helps the team win a playoff game, and doesn't go into a shell in the big games against the better teams.

What you are really saying though is based on what he's done here, he's not worth throwing 30M at regardless, and never will be probably.

Does anyone believe QJ is a $30M dollar WR?

[sonorajim]

What I mean is, the Chargers if they don't trade him are probably going to do the same thing they did with Zion Johnson. Not extend him and then lose him in free agency.

If we keep him I hope he at the very least helps the team win a playoff game, and doesn't go into a shell in the big games against the better teams.

What you are really saying though is based on what he's done here, he's not worth throwing 30M at regardless, and never will be probably.

Does anyone believe QJ is a $30M dollar WR?

I see it as leaving our options open. Q has improved. It'll be interesting to see how he responds to McDaniel's offense.

[electricgold]

I agree with you powderblueboy - playing the comp pick game out five years is a "bold strategy Cotton - we shall see if it pays off." The comp pick game is not an automatic, there are too many variable that are involved to count on Mesidor, or any playing, getting that comp pick. I see when QJ is mentioned -- like he is going to have a good year, get $15m+ AAV and the Chargers will get a 4th round comp pick. Not a guarantee at all

So if you want a comp pick for QJ in 2028 -- trade him now for 4th rounder in 2026 - it is better value and guaranteed.

All Hortiz has proven with his bold strategy is he has the ability as a GM with a franchise QB, and a great HC to put together a team that could win 11 games and make the playoffs, but once the playoffs start SO FAR his teams have fizzled out! A big part of it has been his Oline's and the players he's chosen to bring in and resign, draft and not draft at this position. You can argue the OT's injury but we'll see what happens this year.

[dmac_bolt]

What I mean is, the Chargers if they don't trade him are probably going to do the same thing they did with Zion Johnson. Not extend him and then lose him in free agency.

If we keep him I hope he at the very least helps the team win a playoff game, and doesn't go into a shell in the big games against the better teams.

What you are really saying though is based on what he's done here, he's not worth throwing 30M at regardless, and never will be probably.

Does anyone believe QJ is a $30M dollar WR?

Oh I agree you’re right. The “cost” of using him in 2026 could or will be less comp for him in 2027 or 2028 cuz I don’t think they’ll tag him after a good season vs just prepare to draft a new WR early in 2027. Most elite WRs are taken in Rd1 or early Rd2 (not always - just the best odds), especially if looking for an elite X (vs Y slot). Those are rare physical specimens which is why they are getting over $40M AAV in their second contract.

But the value is the flip - we get to use him in 2026. If you think he sucks, thats not a value proposition. If like me you think he’s actually got some skills, has improved and will improve another notch this year, coupled with McD who will scheme more ways to use him more effectively … you see a value to keep him another year to the 2026 Charger team and I care more today about the 2026 team than I worry about the 2027 or 2028 team.

its a fair disagreement, nothing personal on my side here.

oh to your specifics: I haven’t seen him produce worth $30M. If he had a non-guaranteed base salary of $30M I’d probably cut him. Again, his base is only $2.8M and it is guaranteed. I also don’t think Pierce is worth $27M and not really sure Shaheed was worth $17M (though he’d upgrade our return game so thats worth considering) and many here wanted to jump hard on those opportunities.