The Los Angeles Chargers are just one game deep into the 2026 season, but their defensive line already looks like it needs a serious shot in the arm. Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals saw them give up over 100 yards on the ground, a performance that’s definitely not going to cut it. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is out here dropping bombs, linking the Chargers to a potential trade for Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Yeah, the dude was a top-3 pick back in the day, and now he could be headed to LA to bolster that D-line.
Why the Chargers Need a Boost and Why Thomas Makes Sense
Knox broke it down. The Titans just grabbed Thomas in an offseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys, which reunited him with new Titans head coach Robert Saleh. Cool story, right? Except the Titans got absolutely shelled in Week 1, and Knox isn’t holding back, saying it’s “hard to imagine Tennessee becoming playoff-relevant” any time soon. Here’s the kicker, Thomas is a free agent in 2027. If the Titans are already sinking, why hang onto a rotational player who’s just going to walk? This sets up a perfect storm for the Chargers, who desperately need some bodies in the trenches behind Dalvin Tomlinson. Thomas might not be a starter anymore, but he logged 27 tackles and three tackles for loss in a rotational role with Dallas last season. That’s solid production for a guy coming off the bench.
The Curious Case of Solomon Thomas, 10 Seasons In
Remember when Solomon Thomas came out of Stanford as the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft? He was literally two picks behind Myles Garrett, who just got traded to the crosstown rival Rams after winning Defensive Player of the Year. Wild, right? Their careers definitely went in different directions. Thomas has only started 34 games in 123 appearances, with most of those starts coming in his first couple of seasons. He’s undeniably a rotational player in this league now, but hey, he’s still getting work in his tenth NFL season. That’s longevity, even if it’s not superstar longevity. The Titans might not have a long-term plan for him if their season continues to spiral, making him a prime trade candidate to get some value back before he hits free agency.
So, what’s next? The Chargers need to figure out their D-line woes, and fast. If this trade talk gains any traction, it means they’re serious about addressing that early-season weakness. Keep an eye on how these teams perform in the coming weeks; if the Chargers keep giving up big yards and the Titans keep losing, that trade phone call could happen sooner rather than later.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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