The Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round maneuvering in the 2025 NFL draft involved more than initially met the eye. While the Chargers ultimately selected Omarion Hampton, it has been revealed that they had a trade in place with the Philadelphia Eagles to move out of the No. 22 spot. Since the draft, the Chargers have been transparent about their active pursuit of trades, while also emphasizing that Hampton was a “unanimous, top-of-board decision.” However, details have now surfaced regarding the failed trade with the Eagles.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, a “minor communication error” appears to be the reason the trade did not materialize. Florio reports, “Some believe it was much closer than that. A deal was made, but there was an issue in its communication with the league.
Los Angeles Chargers Attempted To Trade Back With NFC Contender
And, as we’ve learned in the past, both teams must independently communicate to the NFL the terms of the deal before a trade becomes official. If there’s any discrepancy in the terms supplied by the teams, there’s no deal. In this case, both teams did not communicate the terms to the league before the ticking clock forced the Chargers to make a pick.”
The Eagles eventually moved up from the 32nd pick to the 31st to select linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
The responsibility for the alleged communication error—whether it lies with the Chargers or the Eagles—remains unclear. What is certain is that the Chargers would have received “substantial trade compensation” for a move so far down the first-round draft board.
It remains uncertain whether the Chargers anticipated Hampton falling to that later pick or were equally satisfied with other players potentially available at the bottom of Round 1.
Regardless, the Chargers-Eagles trade situation carries an air of intrigue. As the saying goes, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” suggesting that substantive discussions occurred before ultimately falling through, and that Hampton was indeed a player the Chargers highly valued.
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