It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Los Angeles Chargers will be among the NFL’s most aggressive buyers as the trade deadline approaches. After swinging a deal for former first-round edge rusher Odafe Oweh last week, general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to the latest Chargers trade rumors, are shifting their attention to the backfield — a group that’s been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency.
First-round rookie Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury this week, joining free-agent signee Najee Harris, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear earlier this season. The Chargers now lean on Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, but league insiders suggest help could be on the way.
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Chargers Trade Rumors: LA Eyeing Running Back Market
Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, multiple teams have been calling around for running backs — and the Chargers are among the most active. Graziano named the Jets’ Breece Hall as the player whose name “comes up most” in trade discussions. Hall, 24, is in the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to receive a long-term offer from New York. With rookie Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis both under contract through 2027, the Jets could be open to moving Hall for the right price.
Fowler also identified the Browns’ Jerome Ford as another name drawing attention. Cleveland has turned its backfield over to rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, making Ford — who’s logged over 1,300 rushing yards and seven touchdowns since 2023 — an attractive trade candidate.
In addition, the Dolphins’ Jaylen Wright and Ravens’ Keaton Mitchell were mentioned as potential trade chips. Mitchell’s connection to Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, who helped sign him as an undrafted free agent in Baltimore, could make him a particularly logical fit in Los Angeles.
A Win-Now Approach
The Chargers’ front office has made it clear that this season is about seizing opportunity. Harbaugh’s roster has battled injuries to key players such as Hampton, Harris, and even guard Ben Bartch, but the team’s competitiveness has kept them squarely in the AFC playoff picture.
“Joe Hortiz has been canvassing the league,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, adding that Los Angeles has shown interest in both “depth pieces and potential starters.”
Whether the Chargers pursue a player like Hall or Ford, or target a younger back such as Wright or Mitchell, one thing is certain: Los Angeles intends to stay aggressive. The front office’s recent moves show a team intent on fortifying its roster, both for the playoff push and for the long-term stability of the Harbaugh era.
