Daiyan Henley Is Keeping His Trade Fiasco in Perspective

A day after the Los Angeles Chargers attempted to trade linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos, the Broncos rescinded the trade after Henley reportedly failed his physical.

Shortly afterward, Henley was back at the Chargers’ facility taking part in their practice session. It was an awkward situation, especially since Denver wanted the Chargers to take back less draft compensation to complete the trade after Henley failed his physical, which left head coach Jim Harbaugh crying foul.

Some men may have felt insulted that their original team tried to get rid of them. But Henley has been sporting a constructive attitude about the whole situation.

Henley is still focused on football

Per Noah Furtado of The Athletic, Henley realized that the situation is a good sign as far as his perceived value and his overall standing in the NFL.

“If (there’s) anything that I learned from the situation, there are places that want me,” Henley said. “But my focus is here because, obviously, the Chargers still found a way to want me. I say it like that because I talked to them personally, and they made it clear: Whether it was going to be after the season or during the season, they still wanted a shot at me.

“And so, I take that with a grain of salt because it’s still a business. But I also take that with the respect that I have for this team, that they speak to me truthfully and honestly. That’s just how I (have) to go about my business.”

Henley has been seen as one of the core members of a Chargers defense that, at times, has shown promise this season under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. During the past two seasons, under then-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the team ranked highly in several key defensive metrics.

In 2024, Henley, then a second-year player, showed Pro Bowl potential with 147 total tackles (84 solo), three quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and eight passes defended. His production has fallen off somewhat since, but he’s still seen as a player worth keeping around.

He will be a free agent after the conclusion of this season, and there has been speculation that his contract situation triggered the attempted trade. Furtado had reported that L.A. tried to negotiate an extension with Henley prior to the trade attempt, but to no avail.

The franchise will soon have to determine whom it should keep around for next season and beyond and whom to let go of. It had an opportunity to stockpile some draft picks prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, but it didn’t do so at all, especially since it steadfastly refused to trade any other players.

Even if it decides to let Henley leave, he will surely be wanted by at least a few other NFL teams, as he will turn 27 years of age on Wednesday and is early in his prime.