Los Angeles Chargers OLB Odafe Oweh
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Odafe Oweh #98 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers have lost one of their premier players from the 2025 season.
According to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, edge rusher Odafe Oweh is signing a four-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Commanders.
After getting off to a tough start with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025, Oweh found his footing when he was traded to the Chargers in October, going on to post 7.5 sacks in 12 games. He expressed interest in returning to Los Angeles following its playoff loss to the New England Patriots, during which he recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles, but it appears the Chargers were comfortable with letting him go.
Oweh is the second player to leave the Chargers for another team on Monday, as offensive lineman Zion Johnson will sign with the Cleveland Browns. That was an expected development, as Los Angeles is expected to rebuild the interior of its offensive line. The Chargers have made one free agent addition so far in tight end Charlie Kolar.
Los Angeles Chargers Essentially Chose LB Khalil Mack Over Odafe Oweh
The Chargers re-signed Mack to a one-year, $18 million fully guaranteed deal this past weekend. Mack has recorded 36.5 sacks, 195 total tackles, 21 pass deflections, and 13 forced fumbles in his four previous seasons in Los Angeles, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He spent some time mulling over retirement following the 2025 season, but wants at least one more crack at a Super Bowl.
Mack comes cheaper and with less commitment than Oweh, but is 35 years old and has 12 years of wear and tear on his body. He is also coming off an injury riddled season in which he missed five games. Mack brings veteran leadership is still playing at an impactful level, but brining back the younger, more productive Oweh seems like a misfire. The Chargers have plenty of salary cap space to work with, and pass rushers like Oweh don’t come around every day.
Examining the Chargers’ Remaining Defensive Front Seven
Chargers LB Tuli Tuipulotu (#45) and LB Khalil Mack (#52)
GettyChargers LBs Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack
Los Angeles has a great piece to start with in Tuli Tuipulotu, who recorded 13 sacks, 49 total tackles, and two forced fumbles in 2025. Teair Tart is also coming off one of the best seasons of his career. However, the Chargers now need to get them some help after losing Oweh, or it will be tough for either of them to replicate their success. Mack will provide some relief, but can’t be fully counted on at this stage of his career.
Defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, who started 13 games for Los Angeles last season, is a free agent and could also be on his way out. That is also the case for veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman, who has made 21 starts for the Chargers over the past two years. If both are not retained, that creates two more holes in the front seven alone to fill.
Perhaps the Chargers are planning on replenishing their losses with cheaper veterans as they invest most of their money in the offensive line. They could also take a pass rusher with their No. 22 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Regardless of how they address their needs, the Chargers have a lot of work to do as the offseason swings into full gear.