NFL just surprised Chargers LB Daiyan Henley with a deserved raise after breakout performance during 2024 NFL season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nick Roesch | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 4:01 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley quietly had a breakout season in 2024.

A third-round pick by Los Angeles in the 2023 NFL Draft, Henley was mostly a special teams contributor during his rookie season. However, he showed promise with his limited defensive snaps, earning him a starting role in 2024.

Henley made the most of it, recording a whopping 147 total tackles (eighth most in the NFL), one sack, five quarterback pressures, one interception, and eight passes defensed. Those statistics could have easily earned him a Pro Bowl nod, but he is still flying under the radar a bit. Henley also ranked 19th out of 189 qualifying LBs in pass coverage per Pro Football Focus.

Amazingly, he accomplished all of that while playing with a torn labrum for most of the season. For his efforts, Henley earned an extra $892,561 in performance-based pay. That amount ranks 12th among all NFL players who also received a raise based off their performance in 2024. It is well-deserved for Henley, and hopefully it helps get him some more recognition among his peers and fans.

#Jaguars CB Montaric Brown and S Antonio Johnson among those in the top 25 for performance-based pay from the 2024 season.

Brown makes an extra $976,637 while Johnson made $872,633. pic.twitter.com/pUTmBFB0rm
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) March 12, 2025

Henley's football background is unique. He began his collegiate career at Nevada playing wide receiver as a freshman. He switched to defense during his junior year, and made an instant impact with 103 total tackles and four interceptions, earning Second-Team All-Mountain-West honors.

Henley then transferred to Washington State as a senior in 2022, and was named First-Team All-Pac-12 after racking up 106 total tackles, four sacks, and one interception. His WR background has definitely paid dividends toward him being one of the most athletic LBs in the league.

With only four seasons under his belt as a linebacker dating back to his college days, it's safe to assume that Henley hasn't even reached his full potential yet, which is crazy to think about considering the year he just had. If he can keep that momentum going through 2025, he could set himself up nicely for a big contract extension.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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