Harbaugh Criticizes Broncos Over Voided Henley Trade

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on Thursday criticized the Denver Broncos for voiding a trade for linebacker Daiyan Henley after a medical evaluation, calling the move a loophole in NFL protocol.

The Chargers and Broncos agreed Tuesday to trade Henley for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The deal was announced as "pending a physical." Late Wednesday, the Broncos stated the trade would not be finalized.

"The Broncos conditioned their pass-fail decision on whether we would accept reduced compensation. We refused," Harbaugh said. "In my view, this is a loophole the league should examine — it sets a harmful precedent."

Henley started all eight games this season for the winless Chargers. He leads the team with 51 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He played 51 defensive snaps against Kansas City in Week 6 despite a knee listing on the injury report, and 57 snaps in Sunday’s 44–22 loss to Houston despite a shoulder listing.

Harbaugh questioned why Henley was medically cleared to play for Los Angeles but not for Denver. "That’s what’s confusing to me, too," he said. "A medical evaluation should be pass-fail — not a tool to renegotiate compensation after a deal is agreed upon."

Henley is in the final year of his four-year, $5.4 million rookie contract. Harbaugh said Henley’s participation in Thursday’s practice was undetermined because he returned late Wednesday night. The Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz was scheduled to speak later Thursday about the trade. Harbaugh declined to address whether the Broncos knew of Henley’s medical background when the deal was struck, deferring to Hortiz.

Photo: U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Odette Acosta / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
More: NFL · Denver Broncos