The Chargers finally made a move Tuesday, and it was a sign that their “we believe in this core” stance has started to crack.
Los Angeles sent linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal came shortly before the NFL trade deadline that afternoon.
“Trade: Chargers are sending LB Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos for a 2027 fourth-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick, per sources,” reported NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.
It’s not the Khalil Mack move some rival fans had been hoping for, but it does send one of the Chargers’ better defensive players to a division opponent. Denver is trying to keep its push going after reaching the AFC Championship Game a year ago and falling to the New England Patriots.
For the Chargers, the season has gone off the rails in every direction. They are still the only winless team in the NFL, and their 0-8 start has come after a brutal six-week stretch in which they lost every game, following two home losses to teams they were expected to handle.
There’s still time for Los Angeles to keep working the phones before the deadline, but a major shake-up does not seem to be coming. Despite the record, the Chargers do not appear ready to make any drastic decisions.
Next up, they head to Baltimore to face the Ravens on Sunday.
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Justin Herberts latest scare came in the middle of a season already asking plenty of the Chargers offense. The quarterback hurt his left middle finger against the Texans, adding a new layer of concern to a unit that has not found much comfort this year, with Herbert taking his share of sacks and throwing multiple interceptions.
Jim Harbaugh provided the immediate relief after the game, saying Herbert is expected to be ready for the next matchup, but the bigger question around Los Angeles is unchanged. Herbert remains slated to lead the offense again, and the Chargers will need cleaner play around him if they want to avoid turning one injury scare into a much larger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Made A Daiyan Henley Decision Fans Will Question
The Chargers have moved on from Daiyan Henley, sending the 26-year-old linebacker to Denver after four seasons in Los Angeles. Henley had become a familiar part of the defense, and his value showed up most in pass coverage, where he gave the Chargers a linebacker who could stay on the field in a variety of situations.
For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to tighten up its own defense, the decision is going to draw questions from fans who saw Henley as one of the more dependable pieces in the middle. Denver clearly believes he can help its own coverage issues, but for the Chargers, the timing and the return leave plenty of room for second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Sent A Clear Message About This Lost Season
The Chargers made another unmistakable move toward the future, dealing linebacker Daiyan Henley to Denver as the organization continues to reshape its thinking around a difficult season. For a team that has spent much of the year searching for traction, the trade fits a broader approach of looking beyond the present and collecting assets that can help down the line.
Henleys departure adds to the sense that more roster changes could still be coming as the Chargers weigh their options. With speculation already swirling around other notable names, the front office appears willing to keep listening if the return matches its long-term plan, even if it means parting with more recognizable pieces before the season is over. [Read more 🡒]