The Baltimore Ravens moved quickly on one of their expiring contracts this week, trading former first-round pick Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Ravens received a 2026 draft pick and added safety Alohi Gilman in return, looking to reinforce their defensive backfield.
Oweh, selected from Penn State in 2021 as a top draft choice, struggled through the start of 2025 despite a promising breakout campaign in 2024.
He also suggested that part of his early slump may be tied to wearing his old number 51, hoping a change can provide a fresh start with his new team.
“Odafe Oweh has officially changed his number to 98,” Kris Rhim posted on X.
Odafe Oweh has officially changed his number to 98 https://t.co/ZoJmKF4B9n
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) October 9, 2025
The first five games with Baltimore saw Oweh fail to record a sack, and now he aims to regain momentum in Los Angeles.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the trade, Oweh addressed both the move and his future with the Chargers, emphasizing that he believes Baltimore misjudged him during his tenure there.
He played just 45% of defensive snaps this season, a noticeable drop from his 50-65% range across the previous four seasons with the Ravens.
This reduced role is especially striking given Kyle Van Noy’s recent injury, which might have opened up more opportunities for the edge rusher.
Drafted 31st overall in 2021, Oweh has compiled 23 career sacks across 67 games, including a career-high 10.0 last season while totaling 2,488 snaps with Baltimore.
Yet snaps increasingly went to rookie Mike Green and Tavius Robinson, with Robinson commanding a dominant 70% share through the first five games of the season.
His new opportunity in Los Angeles will be crucial to prove he wasn’t given a fair shot in Baltimore and to enhance his market value ahead of his expiring rookie contract.
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