The most telling thing about the Baltimore Ravens’ trade of Odafe Oweh to the Chargers isn’t the move itself, but what it says about their defense
The Ravens stayed true to their colors with this one.
We have a trade! The Baltimore Ravens have made a deal with another AFC team looking for a breakthrough in 2026. Ironically enough, the two parties involved could very easily have ironed out a deal at the dinner table — John Harbaugh‘s Ravens are trading with Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers.
The subject of the deal for Baltimore? Former first-round draft choice Odafe Oweh, who is playing in a contract year in 2025 and now continues the Ravens’ lineage of not paying pass rushers premium money. Baltimore has a well-established track record of drafting pass rushers to play outside and then opting to spend their money elsewhere while reloading that room with young talent.
Oweh’s departure marks the latest example. And the most important thing the Ravens are telling us with this deal is not what they’re sending out, but rather what they’re bringing back.
Ravens trade EDGE Odafe Oweh and a future 7th-round draft choice to Chargers for SAF Alohi Gilman and a 2026 5th-round pick
Given the other big contracts the Ravens have and are primed to hand out in the future, paying Oweh after a breakout season in 2024 was always questionable to assume. It turns out the Ravens simply got a jump on the inevitable — but getting a player back for a former first-round pick who plays a premium position is a fascinating development.
The Ravens are landing safety Alohi Gilman as the centerpiece of the trade coming back, giving the Ravens two new safeties today after signing free agent Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad earlier in the day.
Baltimore seems to be telling us where they think their issues like on the defensive side of the ball beyond the injuries that have ravaged every level of the unit. Safety Kyle Hamilton is a valued chess piece and he’s paired with a first-round draft choice in Malaki Starks — but the depth of that unit has been sapped going back to the offseason when Ar’Darius Washington tore his Achilles.
Odafe Oweh’s career in Baltimore summarized
- Drafted 31st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
- Breakout season came in 2024 with 10.0 sacks
- Bulked up in 2025 to play more early downs and improve against the run
- Has played just 45% of defensive snaps this season despite injury to Kyle Van Noy
- 23 career sacks in Baltimore
Gilman is playing in the second year of a two-year, $10.125 million extension with the Chargers and has been an unquestioned starter for Los Angeles thus far this season. He’s not dynamic but he’s smart and a good tackler. He should bring Ravens fans memories of Geno Stone.
Is this about getting Hamilton moved around with more confidence around the defense? Is this about being too restricted with the personnel around Hamilton? Is this about a setback for Ar’Darius Washington, who John Harbaugh teased could be back mid-season?
Either way, Baltimore’s message here is loud and clear. They’re telling us where they think the most need to be better with today’s moves, especially after sending out a pass rusher with a first round pedigree and Gilman being the starring piece coming back.
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