The Denver Broncos made a rare trade inside the AFC West. Denver acquired linebacker Daiyan Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal came together less than an hour before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
It’s a surprise on both ends. The Broncos were mostly linked to running backs, tight ends and offensive linemen, and the Chargers had spent weeks saying they wouldn’t sell.
Trade details
Broncos get: LB Daiyan Henley
Chargers get: a 2027 fourth-round pick, a 2028 fifth-round pick
Who is Daiyan Henley?
Henley is 26 and in his fourth NFL season. The Chargers drafted him in the third round in 2023.
He’s been one of their most productive defenders. Henley has a team-high 51 tackles in eight games this season, and he led the Chargers in tackles in each of the previous two seasons, according to ESPN. Over 56 career games, he has 317 tackles, five sacks and four interceptions.
He’s also been durable. Henley has started 41 games over the last three seasons, The Denver Gazette reported.
Why the Broncos made this trade
Denver is 7-2 and heading into its bye week, per The Denver Gazette. The defense was already one of the best in the league, but pass coverage at linebacker was a weak spot.
That’s where Henley helps. The Sporting News pointed to his coverage ability as the main reason Denver went after him. Broncos On SI added that the team needed a linebacker who can handle opposing tight ends.
Henley joins a linebacker room led by Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, according to ESPN. The bye week gives him extra time to learn the defense before Denver’s next game.
He’s a rental for now. Henley is in the final year of his rookie deal and is set to become a free agent in 2027, which means the Broncos get half a season to decide if he’s worth an extension.
Chargers finally sell
The Chargers are now looking ahead. Los Angeles is 0-8, and quarterback Justin Herbert has been dealing with a finger injury.
The Chargers had pushed back on selling for most of the past month. According to Schefter, they didn’t like the message that trading players would send about giving up on the season. Henley is the first real sign that has changed.
Trading a defensive leader to a division rival is rare. If Denver re-signs him, the Chargers will see Henley twice a year. Chargers On SI noted his departure opens up snaps for linebackers like Del’Shawn Phillips and Marlowe Wax over the rest of the season.
What it means in the AFC West
The Broncos are chasing the top of the AFC, and they just added a starter-level linebacker without giving up a pick in the first three rounds. Kansas City also made a late move, trading for Colts receiver Josh Downs right before the deadline.
For where Denver sits in the race, see our AFC playoff picture. Every completed deal is listed in our NFL trade deadline 2026 guide.
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