[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”]
[et_pb_row admin_label=”row”]
[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]
Joe Hortiz’s first trade deadline has come and gone, and despite the Chargers being linked to many players by various insiders, Hortiz didn’t pull the trigger on a trade.
Despite fan speculation that a wide receiver might be coming our way, and a number of receivers being moved, the Chargers will move forward with the receivers currently on their roster.
Upon seeing the draft compensation that was handed out for many of the players L.A. was linked to, it’s seems abundantly clear that Joe made the right decision in hoarding his draft picks and focusing on winning with the team he has now. This is not a year where the expectation is to win a championship, but a year where the culture is expected to be reset, and for the core building blocks to be identified and built around.
Here are the trades the Chargers were linked to, but ultimately passed on.
There were arguments about whether Mike Williams was worth a roster spot or not on this roster. He could have been a decent pickup for a same-round pick swap if the Chargers were expected to carry his salary, or a 6th for William with a 7th if his salary would carry to the Chargers. However, to retain his salary as the Steelers did and give up a 5th seems like a major overpay. We don’t know the full decision-making matrix in play since we don’t know the status of D.J. Chark, but Mike Williams in his current state was simply not worth this heavy cost.
The cornerback room is an amazing example of “Who’s got it better than us?!” The Chargers have an entire cornerback room on cost-control, aside from Kristian Fulton who is on a cheap prove-it deal and certainly outperformed it. Why should Joe Hortiz throw away that blessing by giving up two pieces of significant draft capital, along with a 5th/6th pick swap? Lattimore will make $18 million and $18.5 million in the next two years. The Chargers have two young studs in Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, decent depth filling in behind them, and a versatile cornerback/safety hybrid in Elijah Molden. Taking snaps away from Still and Hart didn’t make sense.
If Joe’s offer was much less than what the Saints were able to gather, it may have been another conversation… but Charger fans should be delighted to see as much of Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still week in and week out. They are only going to get more comfortable and more impactful in Jesse Minter’s scheme.
This rumor was circling around all Tuesday, and it’s another move that wouldn’t have moved the needle for this team. If Joe had snagged K.J. Osborn for a 7th, maybe there would have been something to get excited about… but it’s hard to image who Osborn would have leapt on the depth chart.
Polite Reminder: Joe has made four trades this season already!
There will be years where the Bolts will be a move or two away from greatly increasing their postseason chances. However, the biggest problems this team has can’t be fixed overnight. You don’t see teams trade midseason for starting centers or guards very often, because the offensive line needs an offseason or at least training camp to get themselves playing cohesively. A wide receiver that could have taken over as a clear franchise WR1 would have been nice – but major names like Cooper Kupp or Tee Higgins weren’t moved, so the price tag and availability are unknown.
What is known is that Joe has already made four trades this season:
- It was a painful move, but he managed the salary cap compliance in away that enabled him to trade Keenan Allen for a 4th, rather than cut him outright for no compensation… something that certainly on the table for Mike Williams, Allen, Joey Bosa, or Khalil Mack
- Traded up to snag Ladd McConkey, the cost of which was only sliding from the 4th to the 5th, and still hit on the 5th round pick.
- Traded a 7th round pick for Elijah Molden, who’s been a revelation. Would the deadline have been a win on this move alone if Joe waited until Tuesday to make this pickup?
- Traded a conditional 6th for Taylor Heinicke, a more proven and capable backup than Easton Stick.
When all is said and done, Joe has done an incredible job re-tooling this roster. Choosing to not get caught up in an overpay is a blessing for this team. There have been some veteran cuts, so he may still be on the prowl for an upgrade or two, but this team is still capable of forging there way to the playoffs, and potentially surprising us. Looking ahead, what Joe Hortiz is cooking in Los Angeles should have the Bolt Fam very, very excited.
Perfectly happy with them not making any moves. Center would have been cool I guess, but there didn’t seem like there was any realistic targets. Plus Bozeman is a team captain. He’s the center this year. Really look forward to seeing how this roster looks next season.
@feeblepubliccableaccessshow Me too! I picked up JK Dobbins in a trade in my keeper fantasy league because I’m convinced we’re going to bolster the IOL and bring him back to run like a madman next year 
I agree with what you’ve said here, @kylededi . There’s really no realistic trade to be made here. Realistic to me, as you noted, means a significant upgrade to a position of need and/or such a cost value that it couldn’t be ignored.
We’re currently in position for a WC playoff spot. I hope that happens, for both obvious and perhaps less obvious reasons. One of the biggest and perhaps less obvious, IMO, is the confidence and support it will provide for this culture change Harbaugh & Co. are implementing.
Of course, get to the playoffs and anything can happen. I don’t expect a long run there, if we even make it. I’m looking at this year as a stepping stone to bigger things. So going back to the theme here….no, I’m not disappointed in there being no activity by the Chargers. Keep the picks, continue to set up for draft compensation, and coach these bright youngsters up.
@buck-melanoma Right there with you buddy. We could have always paid two firsts to get Tee Higgins, right? If teams weren’t willing to take the prices we were willing to pay, so be it.
Now, if we don’t make a serious push to improve the IOL, preferably starting with the center position, you and I get to start getting grumpy and vocal!
I think it is only fair to contrast Hortiz’s FA/Trade Deadline grade against his draft grade – one is directly linked to the other.
On the latest pod my long-winded Teachable Moment goes through perhaps why The Chef didn’t add any more ingredients to the pot at this current stage. With Alt, McConkey and Still being extremely solid hits (soooo far….), with so many of those receivers going for 4th-5th round picks I’d rather see what Hortiz does with another year in those mid rounds to find those golden depth pieces our organization has lacked for years.
It’s not what fans want, I get that, but it’s the smart move at this midseason. Teams generally ALWAYS overpay in the hope to boost a position of need. And as you say, Hortiz has already technicially wheeled and dealed to our benefit!
What excites me is that Chark is essentially a ‘deal’ that has not even seen the field yet. So if we’re looking at it with rose tinted goggles, we essentially have a target that has been ‘traded in’ (not from another team, just from IR!). Hopefully we see him this week against the Titans and he opens up some opportunities based on his skill set.
@wrefordreed89 Good take Jack, especially the viewpoint thru “rose tinted goggles” of the inhouse trade in from the IR. If the hip injury isn’t a setback for Chark, this WR unit could be very, very solid for the second half of the season. But the real issue with the IOL hasn’t changed yet with Herbert getting hit too much already and consistently. Without #10 under center due another injury, this team isn’t going anywhere.
[/et_pb_row]
[/et_pb_section]
