Joe Alt injury updates shouldn't stop Chargers from going after Bears' top trade deadline name

It's no surprise that injuries have derailed the trajectory of the Los Angeles Chargers' 2025 season thus far. No hope has been lost, but the team needs to make some moves to ensure they're still competitive, as they recently surrendered the division lead to the Denver Broncos.

The position group that's been hit the hardest has been the offensive line, which was already questionable to begin with. Rashawn Slater went down before the season began with a torn patellar tendon. It caused a shift that made Joe Alt the left tackle, with Trey Pipkins III slotted in on the right side.

As the Chargers head into Week 8's Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, they'll be getting back both Alt and Pipkins, who missed time with injuries. Alt returning is huge, but the team could use an upgrade over Pipkins for the remainder of the season.

Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN listed 25 players who could be moved ahead of the trade deadline on November 4. Coming in at No.17 was Chicago Bears tackle Braxton Jones, a player that the Chargers were listed as a fit for.

"Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor ofTheo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025," Fowler wrote.

Jones is a good, not great type of player. However, he certainly checks out as a hot commodity on the trade market, as offensive linemen aren't usually available. "While Jones can struggle with power rushers, he still grades out as a lower-tier starter," said Bowen. Jones has appeared in 46 games with 44 starts since being drafted in the fifth-round in 2022.

Jones would certainly be an upgrade over Pipkins and might be just enough to keep Justin Herbert upright for longer. As previously mentioned, Jones is in a contract year and the Chargers have Slater returning sometime next year. Best case scenario is that Jones plays well enough to earn a second contract with the Bolts, or this is an audition for teams in free agency next year.

This is a move the Chargers should definitely look into.

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones — David Banks-Imagn Images

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