The Los Angeles Chargers have traded linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, ending Henley’s three-season stint with the team. The move came as the Chargers sit winless at 0-8 this season, including a 44-22 home loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, which reportedly prompted the organization to start exploring trade possibilities.
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz began receiving calls from rival GMs after Sunday’s defeat, a shift from weeks of resistance to player availability. Head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the openness to deals during Monday’s media session, saying Hortiz would be “open and active” in trade talks if the moves made sense for the team’s present or future. “A couple had been brought up that hadn’t made any sense to him. Didn’t make any sense to me either,” Harbaugh said.
Henley, who was taken 85th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, had developed into one of the Chargers’ most reliable defensive players. He became a full-time starter in 2024 and led the team in total tackles in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with 147 and 103 tackles respectively. Through the first eight games of this season, Henley had accumulated 51 tackles and an interception despite the Chargers’ struggles.
The decision to trade Henley leaves a significant gap in the Chargers’ linebacker corps. It also marks a personal change for the Los Angeles native, who grew up just miles from SoFi Stadium, attending Crenshaw High School and playing college football at Nevada and Washington State before being drafted by his hometown team.
Contract negotiations played a role in the trade. Henley was entering the final year of his rookie contract with no extension agreed upon. The Chargers reportedly attempted to reach a deal, but talks failed to produce an agreement. With the season slipping away, the Chargers chose to trade Henley rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Hortiz secured two future draft picks, giving the Chargers more options as they look to rebuild. However, trading a productive starter to a division rival is a difficult call for any team, especially one grappling with an 0-8 record.
The locker room reaction to Henley’s departure was mixed. Several Chargers players expressed their frustration on social media. Veteran safety Tony Jefferson posted several upset emojis on his Instagram story, while linebacker Denzel Perryman was more vocal, posting “Mannnnnn W*F!” in response to the trade.
The Chargers made no other major moves before the trade deadline passed, leaving Henley’s departure as the sole significant transaction. Harbaugh is set to address the media on Thursday at The Bolt headquarters, where he will likely discuss the trade, the team’s direction, and the remainder of the season.
For now, the Chargers are left to regroup without one of their most consistent defenders, hoping to find answers amid a challenging start to the 2026 campaign.
According to Yahoo Sports.
