Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers’ front office, led by general manager Tom Telesco, has made strategic trade moves in recent seasons to address roster gaps, bolster championship contention, and balance short-term success with long-term flexibility. These trades—ranging from acquiring veteran playmakers to adding depth pieces—have had varying impacts on the team’s performance, shaping their defensive intensity, offensive consistency, and playoff readiness. From the 2024 trade for edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the 2025 midseason acquisition of cornerback Cameron Sutton, each deal was designed to solve specific needs, but their real-world effects have extended beyond immediate stats to influence team chemistry and scheme execution. Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers breaks down the most significant trades of the past two seasons, evaluating their on-field results, salary cap implications, and role in the Chargers’ push for an AFC West title. For analysts and fans alike, this assessment offers insight into how calculated roster moves can elevate a talented team into a legitimate playoff threat.

Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the 2024 off-season trade that brought edge rusher Odafe Oweh from the Baltimore Ravens to Los Angeles in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. At the time, the Chargers’ pass rush relied heavily on Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, with limited depth behind them—a vulnerability exposed during Bosa’s 2023 hamstring injury. Oweh, a former first-round pick with 22 career sacks, was expected to provide rotational support and spell Mack and Bosa during long drives. The impact was immediate: in 2024, Oweh recorded 7 sacks and 18 quarterback pressures, while the Chargers’ total sacks increased by 12% from the previous season. More importantly, Oweh’s versatility—he could line up as a defensive end or stand-up linebacker—allowed defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley to diversify pass-rush schemes, forcing opposing offenses to adjust to multiple looks. “Oweh didn’t just add depth—he added flexibility,” said Ansley. “We could run stunts, blitz from different angles, and keep Mack and Bosa fresh for crunch time. That’s the kind of impact you can’t always measure with stats.” The trade also proved cap-friendly: Oweh’s $5.2 million salary in 2024 was well below the market rate for a proven edge rusher, allowing the Chargers to allocate funds to other positions.

A second impactful trade came in the 2025 midseason, when the Chargers acquired cornerback Cameron Sutton from the Detroit Lions for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The move addressed a crisis in the secondary, where starter Michael Davis had suffered a hamstring injury and backup Tay Gowan was struggling with coverage lapses—issues that had led the Chargers to rank 26th in the NFL in passing yards allowed through the first eight weeks. Sutton, a 29-year-old veteran with 3 interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 2024, stepped into the starting lineup immediately and stabilized the unit. In the eight games after the trade, the Chargers’ passing yards allowed per game dropped by 23%, and their interception total doubled from 4 to 8. Sutton’s most critical contribution came in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the end zone to seal a 24-17 win. “Sutton brought calm to our secondary,” said safety Derwin James Jr. “He’s been in big games, he knows how to read quarterbacks, and he communicates with the rest of us. Having that veteran presence made everyone around him better.” Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers highlights this trade as a textbook example of a midseason move that addresses an urgent need without sacrificing future assets.

Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers also evaluates the 2025 trade for defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The Chargers’ run defense had been a weak spot in 2024, ranking 24th in the NFL, and Hamilton— a 6-foot-4, 320-pound interior lineman specializing in stopping the run—was brought in to shore up the middle. The results were dramatic: in the 10 games after Hamilton’s arrival, the Chargers’ rushing yards allowed per game fell from 120.5 to 102.3, lifting them to 11th in the league. Hamilton’s ability to clog running lanes and shed blockers also freed up linebackers like Eric Kendricks to make more tackles, with Kendricks’ tackle total increasing by 15% post-trade. For the Los Angeles Chargers, Hamilton’s impact extended beyond run defense: he also contributed 2 sacks and 5 quarterback pressures, proving effective in passing situations as well. “Hamilton is a force in the middle,” said head coach Brandon Staley. “He takes on double teams, he pushes the pocket, and he makes everyone else’s job easier. That’s the kind of player who makes a defense click.” The trade also had minimal long-term cost, as Hamilton was in the final year of his contract, giving the Chargers flexibility to re-sign him or move on in 2026.

Another trade with mixed but notable impacts was the 2024 off-season deal that sent backup running back Larry Rountree III to the New York Giants for a 2027 seventh-round pick. At the time, the Chargers had a crowded running back room with Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, and rookie Omarion Hampton, and Rountree—who had 85 rushing yards in 2023—was deemed expendable. The trade freed up a roster spot and $1.2 million in cap space, which the Chargers used to sign veteran offensive lineman Matt Feiler. Feiler went on to start 14 games at right guard, helping the Chargers reduce their sack total by 8 from 2023. While Rountree had a modest season with the Giants (320 rushing yards), the trade allowed the Chargers to strengthen a more critical position: offensive line. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this move exemplified the front office’s willingness to prioritize team needs over individual talent, even if it meant parting with a popular player. “We had to make a tough call, but it was about what was best for the team,” said Telesco. “Matt Feiler’s play on the offensive line helped protect Justin Herbert and open up running lanes—those are wins that came directly from that trade.” The deal also highlighted the Chargers’ focus on building depth in the trenches, a priority for any team aiming to compete in the physical AFC West.

Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers concludes with a look at the cumulative effect of these trades on the Chargers’ 2025 season, which saw them finish 11-6 and earn a wild-card playoff spot. The additions of Oweh, Sutton, and Hamilton strengthened the defense, turning it from a liability into a strength, while the Rountree trade helped solidify the offensive line. Collectively, these moves improved the Chargers’ win total by 3 games from 2024 and helped them compete for an AFC West title until the final week of the season. The trades also preserved future draft capital: the Chargers gave up only late-round picks (third, fifth, sixth, seventh rounds) in exchange for immediate contributors, ensuring they would remain competitive in future seasons. “Our goal with every trade is to win now without mortgaging the future,” said Telesco. “These moves allowed us to do that—we got better in 2025, and we still have the picks to build for 2026 and beyond.” As the Chargers look ahead, the lessons from these trades will guide future roster decisions: prioritize versatility, address urgent needs with proven veterans, and balance short-term success with long-term flexibility. In the end, Trade Impacts Assessed for the Los Angeles Chargers isn’t just about evaluating past moves—it’s about understanding how strategic trades can turn a talented team into a sustained contender in the NFL’s toughest division.