The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to fill the gap left by Odafe Oweh, who signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Commanders. Oweh tallied 7.5 sacks in a dozen regular-season games. He also set a franchise playoff record with three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Bolts’ wild-card loss to the New England Patriots.
Chargers’ Free Agency Moves and Missed Opportunity
Despite having ample salary cap space, the Los Angeles Chargers have not made the impact many expected in free agency. The Chargers brought in blocking tight end Charlie Kolar, offensive lineman Cole Strange, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, running back/return specialist Keaton Mitchell, and fullback Alec Ingold. They also signed center Tyler Biadasz just ahead of the legal tampering period after the Washington Commanders released him.
Much attention has been given to Odafe Oweh, a player they missed out on. The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t re-sign Odafe Oweh because the asking price just got too high.
Potential Trade with the Giants for Kayvon Thibodeaux
Jim Harbaugh now has to hope that Oweh’s gap can be filled. The Chargers can look for help in free agency or in next month’s draft. They could also make a trade.
One call that could conceivably be made is to the New York Giants, who happen to have a new head coach in John Harbaugh. The purpose of that call would be to inquire about the availability of Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut compiled a list of five trade scenarios. One scenario involves the Bolts and Giants, sending Thibodeaux to Los Angeles. In return, veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman and a fourth-round pick (No. 123 overall) in next month’s draft would go to New York.
Analysing the Proposed Trade
Johnson wrote that Oweh’s success playing opposite Khalil Mack showed how great of a landing spot this can be for another edge rusher. He added that acquiring Maxx Crosby is off the table, but Los Angeles absolutely can pull off a trade for another former first-round pick at edge who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
Johnson suggests that, for the New York Giants, this might be around the best possible return they could get for one season of Kayvon Thibodeaux. Acquiring Denzel Perryman gives New York more depth at off-ball linebacker and the front office could find a role player with the additional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The Chargers did not re-sign Oweh due to high asking price.
- A trade for Thibodeaux could provide an alternative edge rusher.
- The Giants could gain depth at linebacker with Perryman.
- An additional fourth-round pick would also go to the Giants.
The proposed trade would give Thibodeaux a much-needed change of scenery, with the Harbaugh brothers helping one another out. It certainly isn’t the worst proposal in the world.
It’s true that Thibodeaux hasn’t exactly lived up to the status of being a first-round pick.