Chargers Facing Key Decision on Denzel Perryman’s Future at Linebacker
As the Chargers head into a pivotal offseason, one of the more intriguing questions on the defensive side of the ball revolves around veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman. After spending eight of his 11 NFL seasons with the franchise - first in San Diego, then Los Angeles - Perryman’s future in powder blue is anything but guaranteed heading into 2026.
Let’s be clear: when Perryman was on the field this past season, he made a noticeable impact - especially against the run. He’s long been known for his physicality and downhill presence, and that didn’t change in 2025.
But availability and versatility remain concerns. He missed time early in the year due to injury, and was sidelined for the final two games after a league suspension for violating player safety rules.
Still, the results speak loudly. The Chargers went 8-2 in games Perryman suited up for.
In the seven regular-season games he missed? They went 3-4.
That’s a stark contrast and one the front office can’t ignore as they weigh whether to bring the 33-year-old back - and at what cost.
The Price of Experience
In 2025, Perryman earned roughly $2.6 million. At this stage of his career, it’s unlikely that figure goes up.
If the Chargers do bring him back, it’ll almost certainly be on a deal that offers flexibility - the kind of contract that doesn’t guarantee a starting role or heavy snap count. That’s the reality for aging veterans, especially ones who play a position as physically demanding as inside linebacker and whose skill set is more specialized than all-around.
Perryman played just 29% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2025, largely coming off the field in passing situations. His run-stopping prowess is still there, but his limitations in coverage - and lack of pass-rush production (zero sacks) - make him a less-than-ideal fit in today’s pass-heavy NFL unless deployed in specific packages.
Internal Competition Heating Up
The Chargers already have a rotation in place at that linebacker spot. Troy Dye, who logged 46% of the defensive snaps, has been splitting time with Perryman and brings a bit more juice as a pass rusher. Daiyan Henley, meanwhile, was the team’s every-down linebacker, playing over 90% of defensive snaps and showing the range and versatility needed to stay on the field in all situations.
But there’s another name to keep an eye on: rookie Marlowe Wax. While his body of work is still small, Wax flashed in limited action, especially in the season finale against the Broncos.
He played 66% of the defensive snaps in that Week 18 game and recorded seven tackles, including a tackle for loss. That’s a solid day at the office for a player who spent most of the year contributing on special teams (73% of ST snaps) and just 3% of defensive snaps overall.
What stood out? Wax held his own in run defense - no surprise given his college tape - but also looked more comfortable in coverage than both Perryman and Dye in his limited looks. It’s early, and one strong game doesn’t hand him the job, but it’s enough to raise eyebrows and maybe even earn him a longer look in camp.
What’s Next?
This all puts the Chargers in a bit of a crossroads at linebacker. Do they bring Perryman back on a team-friendly deal, knowing they can lean on his experience and leadership in early-down situations? Or do they hand more responsibility to younger, more dynamic players like Dye and Wax, hoping to develop a long-term solution at the position?
There’s also the question of how the defense evolves schematically under the current coaching staff. If the emphasis shifts even further toward speed and coverage ability at linebacker - which has been the league-wide trend - then Perryman’s role becomes even more specialized, maybe even redundant.
The Chargers don’t need to make this decision tomorrow. But it’s a key one.
And it’s not just about Perryman - it’s about what kind of defense they want to be in 2026. Do they double down on experience and toughness?
Or do they roll the dice on upside and youth?
That answer will go a long way in shaping how this defense looks next fall.