Odafe Oweh is about to cash in-and deservedly so.
The former first-round pick is set to hit free agency this offseason, and after the way he closed out 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers, his market value is trending sky-high. Initially drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, Oweh was traded midseason to the Bolts and wasted no time making his presence felt. In fact, he looked like a completely different player in L.A.-more explosive, more disruptive, and far more productive.
Let’s talk numbers: Oweh didn’t log a single sack with the Ravens in the first half of 2025. But once he got to the Chargers, he flipped the switch-racking up 7.5 sacks, 28 tackles, and three stuffs in the regular season.
He wasn’t just filling up the stat sheet; he was wrecking game plans. Then came the playoffs, where he notched three sacks against rookie quarterback Drake Maye and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise tough outing for the Chargers.
Without Oweh’s pressure, that game could’ve gotten out of hand.
This wasn’t a one-year fluke either. Oweh posted 10 sacks in 2024, so we’re looking at a back-to-back stretch of high-impact play.
That kind of consistency, especially at a premium position like edge rusher, is going to command serious money. According to Spotrac, Oweh is projected to land a deal in the $19-20 million per year range, likely spanning three to four years.
And if a bidding war breaks out, don’t be surprised if he crosses the $20 million threshold.
The Chargers would love to keep him-and they should. Pairing Oweh with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu gave Los Angeles one of the more dynamic pass-rushing trios in the league down the stretch.
Mack, of course, is a pending free agent himself, but remember: he re-signed with the Chargers once before after being traded from Chicago in 2022. If the Bolts choose not to use the franchise tag on Mack, they might consider using it on Oweh instead to keep that edge presence intact.
There’s also a new face running the defense in L.A. Jesse Minter is out, and Chris O’Leary is in as the new defensive coordinator.
One of his top priorities? Keeping that pass rush humming.
A four-year, $75 million deal could be enough to lock Oweh in long-term. But if the price climbs too high, the Chargers may have to pivot.
And if they do, there are several teams that should be ready to pounce.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have a lot going for them defensively-especially when it comes to creating turnovers. They led the league in turnover differential at +22 in 2025, which is no small feat.
But the pass rush? That’s where they struggled.
Chicago finished tied for 22nd in sacks with just 35 on the season. Montez Sweat led the way with 10, but that was more than the rest of the team’s edge rushers combined.
That’s where Oweh fits in. Lining him up opposite Sweat would instantly upgrade the Bears’ front and give them a legitimate one-two punch on the edge. Yes, they could look to the draft for help, but with Super Bowl aspirations and a roster that’s close, adding a proven veteran like Oweh might make more sense than waiting on a rookie to develop.
Dallas Cowboys
Let’s be honest-the Cowboys’ defense fell apart in 2025. They tied the Bears with just 35 sacks, and the losses of Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs left a gaping hole in their defensive identity.
The interior line is solid with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark anchoring the middle, but the edge rush hasn’t been the same. Dante Fowler Jr. and Donovan Ezeiruaku haven’t provided the kind of heat Dallas needs off the edge.
Oweh could be a game-changer in that department. His speed and explosiveness would give the Cowboys a much-needed jolt, and his ability to line up in multiple spots would add versatility to a defense that’s trying to rebuild its swagger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs weren’t much better in the sack department, finishing with 37 on the year. Yaya Diaby led the team with seven, but there’s room-and need-for more firepower.
Oweh’s fit in Tampa Bay is intriguing. He’s played as a stand-up outside linebacker and could be used similarly in Todd Bowles’ scheme.
But he also has the size and strength to slide inside on certain downs, potentially lining up next to Vita Vea and creating mismatches.
With Lavonte David’s future uncertain, the Bucs could be looking to inject more veteran leadership and versatility into their front seven. Oweh checks both boxes.
At 27, Odafe Oweh is entering his prime. He’s shown he can produce at a high level, especially when put in the right system.
Whether the Chargers lock him up or he finds a new home, one thing is clear: Oweh’s days of flying under the radar are over. He’s a proven pass-rusher in a league that can never have too many, and someone’s going to pay him like it.