Two Moves I Would Make If I Was the Chargers GM

The Los Angeles Chargers are licking their wounds after a flat and uninspired performance from the entire team Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers starters on both sides of the ball each played one series before making way for the backups and younger players fighting for roster spots.

Training camp is winding down and the Chargers begin their final stretch of practice before their final preseason game on August 27th against the Los Angeles Rams. Roster decisions are narrowing as the battle for final roster spots continues with roster cutdown day on August 30th by 3p Pacific Time.

General manager Joe Hortiz has assembled quality depth at most positions on the roster and in the past, has not been shy about addressing any perceived weaknesses rather quickly. Hortiz has often used roster cutdown day as a de facto early trade deadline. He and the front office have identified potential roster bubble players and traded for their targets at a low cost, saftey Elijah Molden was acquired this way just before roster cutdown day in 2024.

Following the game against the 49ers, if I were in Hortiz's shoes, I would strongly consider targeting two position groups in a similar move and center is surprisingly not amongst their urgent next moves. The offensive line in general is a topic for another day, how the starting unit performs against the Rams in the final preseason game will be a major glimpse into whether the panic button needs to be hit. Ideally more continuity with Jake Slaughter working full-time at center and left tackle Rashawn Slater returning to practice will give a better chance for evaluation.

Cornerback

Before the 49ers matchup, I listed cornerback Deane Leonard as a must-watch player in the matchup. With both Tarheeb Still and Donte Jackson not playing in the game, Leonard had a chance to build some confidence as more than just a special teams ace.

Leonard didn't play particularly bad against San Francisco, but the Chargers could benefit from the addition of another cornerback into the room to compete. Rookie Avery Smith all but locked up a roster spot against the 49ers but if a similar injury situation presents itself in the regular season, starting Leonard or Smith against a first-team offense is a tough ask.

Chargers defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale has worked magic with multiple defensive backs to get the most out of them. I would trust if a new cornerback, who fits their defensive system and mindset, could be picked up for a low risk and low cost trade that they could get the most out of this hypothetical player.

If it were my call, I would be on the phone with the other Harbaugh in New York and asking Giants general manager Joe Schoen about former first-round pick Deionte Banks. Banks is a big and athletic cornerback who has not lived up to his draft status and could benefit from a change of scenery. The Harbaugh brothers have shared coaches and recommended players to each other before and this would be a logical next iteration.

Defensive tackle

49ers quarterback Adrian Martinez runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Chargers. — Aug 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Adrian Martinez (4) runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Chargers have a strong core group of defensive tackles. The benefit to preseason football is the ability to see the depth behind them. Currently Los Angeles' defensive front features three main defensive tackles in Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell and Dalvin Tomlinson, along with a pass-rushing disruptive defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe.

Behind them sit fifth-round draft pick Nick Barrett and former undrafted free agent TeRah Edwards. If an injury hits the defensive line, instantly that group becomes very thin. The Chargers have swung deals with the Tennessee Titans before and veteran Solomon Thomas may be on the roster bubble in Nashville. A veteran like Thomas could provide some proven depth and Tennessee may see him as expendable with the arrival of Khalen Saunders this offseason.

The Chargers could benefit from some additional depth on the roster and the front office will likely be working very closely with the pro-personnel department to identify potential targets. Roster cutdown day is just over a week away, if any of the roster bubble players want to stake a claim to a roster spot, now is their last chance.

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