Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers

The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline (November 4) arrived with the Los Angeles Chargers in a familiar spot: clinging to a wild-card berth (7-4) but facing clear roster gaps that threatened their playoff viability—most notably, a thin secondary and inconsistent depth at running back. General manager Tom Telesco, known for his measured approach to trades, opted for targeted moves rather than blockbuster splashes, acquiring two impact players to shore up weaknesses while minimizing future draft capital losses. Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers breaks down these transactions, the rationale behind them, and how they position the Chargers for a deep postseason run. For a team that has fallen short in recent playoff appearances, these deadline moves aren’t just roster tweaks—they’re calculated bets on winning now.

Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the Chargers’ most significant acquisition: trading a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to the Arizona Cardinals for veteran cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. The move addressed a critical need in the secondary, where starting cornerback J.C. Jackson had missed the last three games with a hamstring strain and backup Asante Samuel Jr. had struggled with coverage lapses (allowing a 72% completion rate when targeted). Murphy, a 27-year-old with five seasons of starting experience, has recorded 3 interceptions and 8 pass breakups for the Cardinals in 2025, and his ability to play both outside corner and nickelback adds much-needed flexibility. “Byron is a proven starter who can step in immediately and help our secondary,” said Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. “He’s played against some of the NFL’s top receivers—Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill—and held his own. That’s the kind of experience we need for the stretch run.” Murphy, who grew up in Los Angeles, expressed excitement about the trade: “This is a dream come true. The Chargers have a great defense and a chance to win a Super Bowl—I’m ready to contribute however I can.” The low cost (a single fifth-round pick) made the deal a no-brainer for Telesco, who avoided surrendering high draft capital while filling a pressing need.

Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers continues with the team’s second key move: sending a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions for running back David Montgomery. The Chargers’ rushing attack had sputtered in 2025, ranking 24th in the NFL (92.3 yards per game) due to injuries to starter Austin Ekeler (ankle sprain) and inconsistent play from backups Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller. Montgomery, a 29-year-old with a physical, downhill running style, has rushed for 480 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Lions this season, and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield (22 receptions in 2025) aligns with Staley’s pass-heavy offense. “David is a workhorse back who can handle 15-20 carries a game and still contribute in the passing game,” said Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. “With Austin banged up, we needed someone who could step in and keep our running game on track—David is that guy.” The Lions were willing to part with Montgomery because they’d recently elevated rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs to the starter role, making Montgomery expendable. For the Chargers, the deal adds depth without sacrificing meaningful draft capital, ensuring they’re prepared if Ekeler’s injury lingers into the playoffs.

Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers includes a look at the only minor departure: trading backup offensive lineman Will Clapp to the New Orleans Saints for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Clapp, a 28-year-old who had appeared in just three games for the Chargers in 2025, was a victim of the team’s depth at interior line—with starters Corey Linsley (center), Zion Johnson (guard), and Matt Feiler (guard) all healthy and productive. The Saints, who needed depth after losing center Erik McCoy to a knee injury, viewed Clapp as a reliable fill-in. “Will is a good player who just didn’t have a role here this season,” Telesco said in a post-deadline press conference. “Trading him to New Orleans gives him a chance to play meaningful snaps, and it gets us a late-round pick for the future. It’s a win-win for everyone.” The move was largely overlooked by fans but reflected Telesco’s commitment to roster efficiency—turning a player with limited upside for the Chargers into future draft capital. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this kind of low-risk transaction helps maintain depth in future seasons while keeping the current roster focused on the playoff push.

Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers delves into fan and expert reactions to the deadline moves, which were largely positive. Local sports talk radio shows praised Telesco for addressing the secondary and running back without overpaying—with one caller to 98.7 FM’s “Chargers Talk” saying, “Finally, we’re not making stupid trades for overpriced players. Murphy and Montgomery are exactly what we need.” National analysts echoed this sentiment: ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked the Murphy acquisition as the “third-best deadline deal” in the AFC, noting that “cornerbacks of Murphy’s caliber usually cost a third-round pick or more—Telesco stole him for a fifth.” On social media, #ChargersDeadlineWin trended for eight hours after the deals were announced, with fans sharing highlights of Murphy’s interceptions and Montgomery’s touchdown runs. The only mild criticism came from fans who wanted the Chargers to address the defensive line, but Telesco defended the decision: “Our edge rush (Joey Bosa, Bud Dupree) is one of the best in the league, and our interior line has been healthy. We focused on the areas where we had real weaknesses—and I think we fixed them.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, the positive reaction reinforced confidence in the front office’s strategy, a welcome shift after years of fan frustration over questionable roster moves.

Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers wraps up with the long-term implications of the deadline moves—both for the 2025 playoffs and beyond. In the short term, Murphy and Montgomery are expected to make immediate impacts: Murphy will likely start opposite Jackson (once Jackson returns) in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, while Montgomery will split carries with Spiller until Ekeler is healthy. If the Chargers make a deep playoff run, these two players could be difference-makers—Murphy shutting down opposing receivers and Montgomery keeping the offense balanced against top defenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Long-term, the deals reflect Telesco’s “win-now” approach while protecting the team’s future: giving up a fifth, seventh, and sixth-round pick (spread across 2026 and 2027) is a small price to pay for players who could help the Chargers win their first Super Bowl. “These moves aren’t just about 2025,” Staley said. “They’re about building a culture of winning—showing our players and fans that we’re committed to competing for championships every year.” For Chargers fans, the deadline deals have reignited hope after years of playoff heartbreak. “I haven’t been this excited about a Chargers team since 2007,” said season-ticket holder Maria Gonzalez. “Murphy and Montgomery fill our biggest holes, and we still have Bosa and Derwin James leading the defense. This could be our year.” In the end, Trade Deadline Deals Involving the Los Angeles Chargers is a story of strategic patience and calculated aggression—proof that a general manager doesn’t need to make splashy trades to improve a playoff contender. For the Chargers, these moves are a step toward finally turning potential into postseason success.