Krumpin: Haters traded Herbert for the bye-week running back

By SKIP KRUMPIN · October 22, 2026

SAN JOSE, CA. (FAKE NEWS AP) — Haters Gonna Hate traded Justin Herbert to My Team Sucks! for Bhayshul Tuten, the rare transaction in which both managers looked at their Week 7 haul and found a bye-week sticker. Herbert’s Chargers and Tuten’s Jaguars are off. The trade cleared the wire anyway, because this was not a one-Sunday rental; it was two Superflex rosters arguing over what happens after Sunday.

Haters entered the week 6–0 but had just converted TreVeyon Henderson into the Browns defense. Tuten restored a fourth running back alongside Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift and Chase Brown. He earned the invitation: in Jacksonville’s Week 6 loss, Tuten carried 12 times for 39 yards and caught five of seven targets for 48 yards and two scores. Two receiving touchdowns are not a weekly subscription. The five catches and 12 carries are a better reason to keep looking at him when Jacksonville returns.

My Team Sucks! had Kenneth Walker III, Ashton Jeanty, Aaron Jones Sr. and Tyrone Tracy Jr. after the deal; moving a bye-week back did not strip its Week 7 starting backfield. It added Herbert behind Drake Maye and Daniel Jones. That is a useful luxury in a 14-team Superflex league even after Herbert’s quiet Week 6: 204 passing yards, no touchdowns and an interception against Kansas City. He could replace a weaker quarterback start once the Chargers return. He could not play on their bye.

The grade

Haters Gonna Hate: B. There was a roster argument for the swap. Tuten brought a live role and upside to a backfield that had just spent one reserve on a defense. The bill came due at quarterback: Haters was left with Brock Purdy and J.J. McCarthy as its usable Week 7 passers, while Fernando Mendoza carried almost no Yahoo projection. The live lineup still had an empty Superflex slot with McCarthy on the bench. Moving him into that slot is the immediate job; Tuten’s bye cannot do it.

My Team Sucks!: B-plus. A manager with Walker and Jeanty could afford to sell a back for another credible Superflex quarterback. Maye and Jones already covered Week 7, and Herbert added a decision for the weeks ahead. The risk was paying with an ascending Tuten for a Chargers offense that had just produced zero touchdowns. Depth is lovely until the player shipped out becomes the headline.

Everyone can call a bye-week trade harmless when the scoreboard is still blank. Come Week 8, somebody has to put the right new name in a starting slot. The trade desk will keep the receipt. — 30 —