Khalil Mack Trade Rumors Reveal Chargers' Stance Amid 0-6 Start to 2026 NFL Season

NFL insider Tom Pelissero feels the Los Angeles Chargers could change their stance on trading star edge rusher Khalil Mack if the team's winless streak continues into the trade deadline.

Pelissero reported Saturday on his Substack the Chargers "remain adamant they're not trading any of their core players," including Mack.

"But if 0-6 becomes 0-8 before the deadline, it's hard to imagine GM Joe Hortiz wouldn't at least listen to offers for the former Defensive Player of the Year," Pelissero wrote.

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Pelissero added he sees the Indianapolis Colts' trade of DeForest Buckner, which netted a 2027 fourth-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers, as the "floor for a potential Mack deal."

The Athletic's Jonathan Jones similarly reported Saturday the Chargers "have confounded teams by not engaging in trade talks."

"The Bolts are 0-6 but are telling teams Khalil Mack isn't available. It's hard to envision that remaining the case over the next 10 days," Jones reported.

Mack, 35, is playing this season on an expiring $18 million contract. He has about $4.4 million of that deal remaining in 2026, per Spotrac .

He has been on the field for 71 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps this season while contributing three sacks, 19 tackles (five for loss) and six quarterback hits.

No team in league history has recovered from more than four straight season-opening losses to make a playoff bid, and the Chargers are heading into Week 8 as the lone winless team in the NFL.

The Chargers may have been unwilling to accept a status as trade deadline sellers so far, but a loss to the Los Angeles Rams this weekend could push general manager Joe Horitz one step closer to listening to offers for players like Mack or Quentin Johnson.

The Rams (3-4) will be fighting for their playoff hopes, while the Chargers (0-6) will continue playing for their first win of the season when Sunday's matchup kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET.