Coach Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers haven’t found much success during the 2026 NFL season.

The Chargers finished both the 2024 and 2025 seasons at 11-6, raising expectations that the team would be back in the playoff mix. Instead, the Chargers have lost eight straight games to start the season.

General manager Joe Hortiz and the front office decided not to be an overly active participant in the trade deadline, even with trade assets on the roster such as quarterback Justin Herbert, outside linebacker Khalil Mack and receiver Ladd McConkey.

While there were expectations for the Chargers to be a potential seller at the trade deadline, the team remained quiet.

If there was a chance for them to be buyers, it could have included them trying to help the offense.

Harbaugh stated during his press conference on Nov. 9 that Hortiz would "be open and active in pursuing" options that would make the team better.

In the hours leading up to the deadline, only one move was made and it was geared toward helping the franchise in the future.

Here's what the Chargers decided to do:

Chargers trade Daiyan Henley

The Chargers traded linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos for a pair of draft picks. The Chargers now hold the rights to the Broncos' fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft and fifth-round pick in 2028.

Henley was in the fourth year of his four-year rookie contract and is eligible to become a free agent ahead of the 2027 season.

If Los Angeles was unable to come to terms on a potential extension, moving on from him during a lost season and acquiring draft assets serves as a good move by the organization.

Chargers trade deadline grade: C-

USA TODAY Sports' Jack McKessy writes: "The fourth-year linebacker's contract expires after this season, and he has struggled to adjust to new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary's system since Jesse Minter departed for the Ravens' head coaching job."

Chargers' linebacker depth

With Henley no longer on the roster, the Chargers move on with the next man up. Troy Dye and Marlowe Wax will be tasked with filling that void.

The depth chart reveals that there's still a lack of depth among the inside linebackers group for the rest of the season.