Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline came and went with the Cleveland Browns making a few moves prior to that deadline. In October, they traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 fifth-round pick, and they also moved a 2026 sixth-rounder and cornerback Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars for corner Tyson Campbell and a seventh-rounder in 2026.
On Tuesday, Cleveland sent Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round selection in 2026. There were rumors that running back Jerome Ford, who has fallen down their depth chart, could be moved, and the Los Angeles Chargers were one team that was thought to be an appropriate destination for him.
But Ford is still a member of the Browns, and he went on social media to hint that he’s unhappy about it.
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As recently as 2023, Ford ran for 813 yards and four touchdowns plus 319 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, and he started 12 games after Nick Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, suffered a severe knee injury in Week 2. Last year, Ford had 565 rushing yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
So far this year, Quinshon Judkins has emerged as the starting tailback in Cleveland, and Ford, in eight games, has gotten just 21 carries, which he has converted into 73 yards. At age 26, Ford should still have plenty of tread left on his tires.
The Chargers are in great need of help at the running back position after losing starter Najee Harris and backup Omarion Hampton to injuries. Harris is out for the year with a torn Achilles, and Hampton suffered an ankle injury in Week 5.
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In addition, starting offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater are out for the year with ankle and patellar tendon injuries, respectively. In addition, offensive linemen Bobby Hart, Mekhi Becton and Trey Pipkins II have been banged up.
Somehow, the Bolts have forged a 6-3 record and are in the race for first place in the AFC West, but it is hard to imagine them winning the division, given how short-handed they are.
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