Jim Harbaugh Says Broncos Used Henley's Physical as Leverage, Wants NFL to Close 'Loophole'
The Chargers coach says Denver would have passed Daiyan Henley for lesser compensation, and that the league should look at how the voided deal played out
Jim Harbaugh isn't letting the voided Daiyan Henley trade go quietly. The Chargers coach said Thursday that the Broncos tied their medical decision on the linebacker to whether Los Angeles would accept a lesser return, and he wants the NFL to look into it.
"The Broncos based a pass/fail on a medical grade based on whether we would take less compensation. And we wouldn't and we didn't."
— Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh said Denver told the Chargers it wouldn't pass Henley for the agreed-upon fourth- and fifth-round picks, but "they'd pass him for a fourth and a fill in the blank." Asked why a player healthy enough to play for the Chargers wouldn't be healthy enough for Denver, he said, "No, of course. But it's confusing to me too."
Jim Harbaugh told reporters the #Broncos wanted Daiyan Henley for less draft compensation than they initially traded, which is why they failed Henley on the physical. The Chargers coach's full comments:View on X →
Sam Jane (@sam_jane230): Jim Harbaugh told reporters the #Broncos wanted Daiyan Henley for less draft compensation than they initially traded, which is why they failed Henley on the physical. The Chargers coach's full comments:
"In my opinion, it's one of those loopholes that the league should really look into because it sets a bad precedent and continues to set a bad precedent," Harbaugh said.
The deadline-day deal would have sent Henley to Denver for a 2027 fourth and a 2028 fifth. The Broncos announced late Wednesday that it "will not be finalized" after finding an issue with one of Henley's knees, then offered revised terms built around a fourth-rounder that the Chargers turned down.
Harbaugh said the Chargers welcome Henley back "with open arms," while noting the last couple of days put the linebacker "through the ringer." Henley got back to Los Angeles late Wednesday night, and Harbaugh said the team fully expects him to play this week.
That matters for a winless team. Henley has started all eight games and leads the 0-8 Chargers with 51 tackles. He is in the final year of his rookie deal, with unrestricted free agency coming in March. The Chargers visit Baltimore on Monday night, while the 7-2 Broncos are on their bye before hosting the Raiders on Nov. 22.