Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves

The 2025 NFL trade deadline (October 29) marked a period of strategic restraint and targeted action for the Los Angeles Chargers, who entered the window with a 5-3 record and playoff aspirations but also lingering questions about depth in key positions. Rather than pursuing high-cost, blockbuster deals, general manager Tom Telesco focused on incremental upgrades—addressing immediate needs on defense and special teams while preserving future draft capital. The Chargers’ moves, though not headline-grabbing, reflected a calculated approach: prioritize positions where injuries or inconsistent play had created gaps, and avoid overcommitting resources to short-term fixes. Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves breaks down each transaction, the rationale behind them, and how they fit into the team’s broader goal of competing for an AFC West title and deep playoff run. For Chargers fans, the deadline moves offered a glimpse into the front office’s confidence in the current roster—while also signaling a commitment to shoring up weaknesses before the stretch run.

Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves begins with the team’s most impactful acquisition: a trade with the Detroit Lions for veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton. In exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, the Chargers landed Sutton, a 29-year-old with seven seasons of NFL experience and a track record of consistent play in both man and zone coverage. The move addressed a pressing need in the secondary, where starting cornerback Michael Davis had missed three games with a hamstring injury and backup Tay Gowan had struggled with coverage lapses. Sutton, who recorded 3 interceptions and 12 pass deflections for the Lions in 2024, was expected to step into a rotational role immediately, with the potential to start if Davis’ injury lingers. “Cameron brings the kind of experience and reliability we need in our secondary,” Telesco said in a post-deadline press conference. “He’s played in big games, he understands different defensive schemes, and he can contribute on special teams too. This is a move that helps us now and gives us more flexibility down the stretch.” Sutton reported to the Chargers’ facility the day after the trade and participated in his first practice on November 1, wearing jersey number 23.

A second key move from the Chargers, highlighted in Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves, was a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. The Chargers sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Hamilton, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound interior lineman who has specialized in stopping the run and generating interior pressure. The acquisition came as the Chargers’ defensive line dealt with injuries to Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee) and Austin Johnson (ankle), leaving them thin at a position critical to slowing down AFC West rushing attacks (like the Kansas City Chiefs’ and Las Vegas Raiders’). Hamilton, who had 2 sacks and 18 tackles for the Jaguars in 2025 before the trade, was projected to play in a rotation with Justin Jones and Breiden Fehoko, providing much-needed depth in short-yardage and goal-line situations. “Davon is a big, physical presence in the middle—exactly what we need to shore up our run defense,” defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said. “He’s also capable of pushing the pocket on passing downs, which gives us more options in our pass-rush packages. This move doesn’t just fill a hole; it makes our entire defensive line better.”

Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves also covers the Chargers’ decision to part ways with a few depth players, including backup running back Larry Rountree III and third-string quarterback Easton Stick. Rountree, who had 85 rushing yards and 1 touchdown in limited action, was traded to the New York Giants for a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move freed up a roster spot for the recently acquired Sutton and reflected the Chargers’ confidence in rookie running back Isaiah Spiller, who had stepped up in place of the injured Austin Ekeler. Stick, meanwhile, was waived with an injury settlement after suffering a shoulder injury in practice—though the Chargers retained his rights if he clears waivers and re-signs later in the season. For the Los Angeles Chargers, these outgoing moves were as strategic as the incoming ones: they allowed the team to trim redundant depth, accumulate additional draft capital, and focus resources on players who could contribute immediately. “We appreciate everything Larry and Easton did for this team,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “But in the NFL, you have to make tough decisions to keep your roster balanced. These moves help us stay flexible and ensure we’re putting the best possible team on the field each week.”

Another notable aspect of the Chargers’ trade deadline activity, explored in Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves, was their decision to hold onto key veterans—including edge rusher Joey Bosa and wide receiver Mike Williams—despite rumors linking them to other teams. Bosa, who had been the subject of trade talks earlier in the season due to contract negotiations, remained with the Chargers after Telesco made it clear he was not available. Williams, meanwhile, stayed put even as teams like the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals expressed interest in adding a top-tier wide receiver. The decision to keep Bosa and Williams underscored the Chargers’ commitment to competing in 2025, as both players are critical to the team’s offensive and defensive success. For the Los Angeles Chargers, retaining these stars also sent a message to the locker room: the front office believes in the current roster’s ability to win. “Joey and Mike are foundational players for us—they’re leaders on and off the field,” Telesco said. “We never seriously considered trading them. Our goal is to win now, and keeping our best players is a big part of that.” Bosa went on to record 3 sacks in the four games after the deadline, while Williams had two 100-yard receiving games.

Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves concludes with an assessment of how the deadline moves have impacted the Chargers’ season so far—and what they mean for the stretch run. Through four games after the trade deadline, the Chargers went 3-1, with Sutton recording 1 interception and 4 pass deflections and Hamilton contributing 1 sack and 8 tackles (including 2 for loss). The run defense, which ranked 22nd in the NFL before the deadline, climbed to 15th, while the secondary allowed 15 fewer passing yards per game. The team’s record improved to 8-4, putting them in contention for a wild-card spot and within striking distance of the AFC West lead. “The trade deadline moves were about adding pieces that fit our system and our culture,” Staley said. “Cameron and Davon have integrated seamlessly, and they’ve made us a better team. We still have work to do, but these moves have put us in a better position to compete down the stretch.” For the Chargers, the deadline wasn’t about overhauling the roster—it was about refining it. By targeting specific needs, preserving draft capital, and keeping key veterans, the front office positioned the team to make a legitimate playoff push. In the end, Trade Deadline Recap for the Los Angeles Chargers Moves is a story of strategic patience and targeted action—proof that successful deadline moves don’t have to be flashy to be effective.