The Los Angeles Chargers make aggressive move that could be the spark needed to get their season back on the right track
The Los Angeles Chargers have acquired Odafe Oweh from the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chargers have made a bold swing to shore up one of their most glaring weaknesses this season: their pass rush. In a trade with Baltimore, Los Angeles acquired edge rusher Odafe Oweh in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick, while also sending back a 2027 seventh-rounder.
A much needed move
This move isn’t just a desperation move – it’s a calculated, high-upside gamble. The Chargers have been badly missing Khalil Mack, who remains on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. Their pass-rush production has lagged in his absence, and opposing quarterbacks haven’t been under consistent pressure. In that context, adding a player of Oweh’s talent – at what looks like a reasonable cost – makes a lot of sense.
The personal connection between Oweh and the Chargers’ front office makes this trade even more intriguing. General Manager Joe Hortiz had a hand in drafting Oweh during his time in Baltimore. That background gives Hortiz unique insight into what makes Oweh tick—his strengths, developmental potential, and how to unleash him in the right environment. The familiarity likely played a significant role in the Chargers’ decision to pursue this move aggressively.
Oweh brings an intriguing résumé. While his 2025 campaign has yet to produce eye-popping numbers, he’s known for generating consistent pressure and disrupting plays. In prior seasons, he’s posted strong totals in sacks and quarterback pressures, including a career-high 10 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2024. Oweh has the athleticism and explosiveness to make a real impact when healthy and in the right scheme.
For Baltimore, Oweh was expendable as he entered the final year of his rookie deal, but for the Chargers, this is an opportunity to convert upside into production at a position of need. If Oweh can rediscover his form, he could transform a defense that’s struggled to get home without Mack on the field.
Of course, trading away Gilman and a mid-round pick is a cost, but Los Angeles had depth at safety and viewed this as a chance to strengthen a critical area. They gained a dynamic young pass rusher who fits their scheme and long-term vision.
If the move works, it could be one of the smartest midseason adjustments of the year—a low-risk, high-reward deal that gives the Chargers the spark their defense has been missing.
