What Kind of Message Does It Send?

We love the NFL because it’s unpredictable week to week and year to year. We’ve seen plenty of surprises through the first nine weeks of the season, but the biggest one has to be the Los Angeles Chargers sitting at 0-8.

Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach in 2024, went 11-6, and followed that with an 11-6 record in 2025. Heading into this season, expectations were high because of the talented roster and the addition of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator.

However, between injuries and poor play, their season continues to unravel, with no indication they'll turn things around. With such a disappointing year and a struggling team, it makes sense they would be active at the trade deadline. They do have some players that other competitive teams would love to have for their stretch run.

It doesn’t appear they are willing to make those trades, though, and there is an article on TheAthletic.com with the headline “Chargers Worry a Trade Would Send the Wrong Message. What Does Keeping Mike McDaniel Say?”

In the article, Noah Furtado writes, “The trade deadline is Tuesday, and they don’t see themselves as sellers, according to reporting from The Athletic. They don’t want to send the wrong message. Trading veterans would apparently mean giving up on the season.”

We know that trading a star player for draft picks absolutely sends a message to the locker room about how the front office views the rest of the season. It suggests winning is no longer the focus and can indicate that younger players will get more playing time and that other veterans may be moved at some point.

We understand that not making certain moves sends a message, as well. In the article, Furtado also asks, “What kind of message does it send that Mike McDaniel is still calling an incompatible offense eight losses into an eight-game season?”

By keeping McDaniel, the message is being sent that the team is unwilling to make the necessary changes, even though it’s clear that the offense isn't working with him as their coordinator.

With the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 EST and teams sitting at the midway point of the season, tough decisions have to be made by the Chargers as well as other teams around the league about what direction their team is heading.

As head coaches and GMs contemplate decisions and ultimately make moves to their roster or coaching staff, they are asking, “What kind of message does it send?”  It’s definitely a good question to consider.

We’ve already seen teams fire coordinators, make trades, and bench quarterbacks, and more of those choices will continue in the coming weeks, as everyone watches and determines what those actions say.

In our own lives, the decisions that we make and the choices to do something or not do something also send messages to those around us. Through our actions, we show what we value and prioritize and the direction we are heading.

As followers of Jesus, we should ask, “What kind of message does it send?” as we interact with others, live in a broken world, and respond when we find ourselves “0-8.”

In John 13:34-35 (AMP), Jesus declares, "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

We want our lives to send a message that we are followers of Jesus and we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and that He loves people and we do too.

So, what kind of message does it send when we love people who don’t deserve it?

What kind of message does it send when we forgive people who hurt us?

What kind of message does it send when we choose humility and selflessness?

What kind of message does it send when we show up for people in their difficult times?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16 (AMP) to "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

We want our lives and good deeds to reflect a heart transformed by Jesus and to send the message that God is good and powerful and deserves all the glory.

So, does the way we spend our time and money and use our gifts send a message that we serve God above all else?

Do our decisions send the message that we believe God’s Word is true?

Do people notice that our lives say or reveal we operate with a different kind of hope and peace?

Do the choices we don’t make or the activities we don’t partake in send a message that we live to honor and obey God, and He’s the One guiding us?

Do people notice that when we are going through a difficult season, we don’t give up because we trust in God?

Do we make it clear that when we struggle with sin, we are willing to confess, repent, make the necessary changes, and go in a different direction?

1 Peter 2:12 (AMP) says, "Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that  for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].”

1 Peter 3:15 (AMP) encourages us, "But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect."

Today, let us consider and care about the message we send to others every day by our actions (and words).

Let’s not send the wrong message, but rather view our decisions as an opportunity to reflect the character of Jesus, bring God glory, and point people to the hope and answer they are searching for. We want people to hear the message that God is real, loving, and powerfully able to change anyone.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want my life to send the message that You have transformed me, You are the one guiding me, and You are powerful and loving. Forgive me for the wrong messages I’ve sent to others through my bad decisions, and please use my life to bring You honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.