Overview

• ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a three-way deal sending Quentin Johnston to the Cardinals, Evan Neal to the Chargers, and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Los Angeles to the Giants, with Arizona also sending a 2026 fifth-rounder to the Chargers.
• The idea stems from the Chargers’ sudden vulnerability up front after Slater’s torn patella, with Joe Alt sliding to left tackle and Trey Pipkins stepping in on the right side under Jim Harbaugh’s O-line-centric approach.
• Johnston has been out in the preseason with a concussion and faces a tighter depth chart after Keenan Allen’s return and the arrivals of Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Barnwell sees a potential slot role in Arizona as a better fit.
• Neal has underperformed since going seventh overall in 2022, had his fifth-year option declined, and would be a low-cost flier for Los Angeles at roughly $1.1 million this season.
• Coverage emphasizes that three-team NFL trades are rare and difficult to execute, so the proposal remains speculative with the roster cut deadline approaching Tuesday.