Sometimes, it's probably better to admit defeat and wave the white flag sooner rather than later when you're a struggling NFL team.
The Los Angeles Chargers are not just struggling, though. They are currently mired in a 0-6 winless pit of despair. If we're being realistic, their season is likely already over from a competitive perspective. No NFL team has ever made the postseason after starting 0-6, and the Chargers, who were on their bye in Week 7, certainly don't have the look of a team prepared for a historic midseason turnaround. Factor in the formidable Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos sitting alllllll the way at the top of the AFC West division, respectively, and it's really difficult to see Los Angeles digging out of its hole.
Such
a dire situation would necessitate that the Chargers try to recoup assets for the future by trading off win-now veterans who could help other contending teams. But the Chargers aren't ready to do that ahead of the NFL's November 10th trade deadline. In fact, according to a league-wide trade deadline report from ESPN's Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the Chargers really still think they can save their season even as trade interest for players like pass-rusher Khalil Mack heats up.
Oh, you sweet summer children. You are very likely saving nothing. What are we doing here?
More from ESPN:
Khalil Mack: There is expected to be interest in Mack from teams such as the Chicago Bears, but the Los Angeles Chargers have given no indication that they are willing to make any trades at this time. The Chargers (0-6) insist they are trying to win games, but that doesn't mean they're not going to get calls on Mack in the coming weeks.
In all fairness to a competitive coach like Jim Harbaugh, it probably hurts to take the forward-thinking approach for the Chargers when we're still in October. Usually, a non-contending team's season ends in December or in an early-round postseason loss to a much better opponent. Of course, at the same time, notes like this about how the Chargers still aren't open for business could also simply be posturing for better trade returns. After all, everyone knows that the Chargers are a prime fire-sale candidate. It would be to their benefit to try and make themselves seem less desperate to make trades so they don't get taken advantage of outright.
Whatever the actual reason is for the Chargers crossing their arms and saying no to anyone calling to make trades for now, I feel confident it won't last. No one sitting in a 0-6 hole would be so illogical as to say no to draft picks for the future should golden opportunities present themselves. As bad as the Chargers have been this year, I think they're reasonable enough to see the forest for the trees.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The Chargers have an amusing reason for reportedly refusing to make trades so far
