Broncos Call Off Daiyan Henley Trade After Physical; Linebacker Returns to Chargers
Denver found an issue with one of Henley's knees, the teams couldn't agree on revised picks, and the winless Chargers end up making no deadline trades
Daiyan Henley is going back to Los Angeles. The Broncos announced late Wednesday night that their deadline-day trade for the Chargers linebacker "will not be finalized."
The Broncos announced via social media late Wednesday night that the trade to acquire Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers “will not be finalized.''View on X →
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): The Broncos announced via social media late Wednesday night that the trade to acquire Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers “will not be finalized.''
Neither team gave an official reason, but Denver found an issue with one of Henley's knees during his physical Wednesday, ESPN's Jeff Legwold reported. The Broncos had announced the deal Tuesday as "pending a physical." After the exam, Denver went back to the Chargers with revised terms: either a fourth-round pick and a seventh-rounder, or a fourth-rounder and another pick swap, according to Schefter. Los Angeles didn't accept, so the original package of a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth stays with Denver, and the deal goes down as a failed physical.
"We have great respect for Daiyan as a player and person, and we wish him all the best moving forward," the Broncos said in their statement. The Chargers posted "Welcome back, Daiyan" shortly afterward.
Henley, who turns 27 next week, has started all eight games this season and leads the Chargers with 51 tackles after back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. He has 41 starts in 42 games over the past three years and is in the final year of his rookie deal, set for unrestricted free agency in March.
For Denver, the inside linebacker spot stays with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, who have started every game. Singleton, 32, leads all defensive players with 617 snaps, and the Broncos rank 23rd against the run. At 7-2 and on a five-game winning streak, Denver is on its bye and hosts the Raiders on Nov. 22.
The 0-8 Chargers, meanwhile, end the deadline without a single completed trade. They visit Baltimore on Monday night.