The Los Angeles Chargers are making key adjustments to their defensive front ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins, and head coach Jim Harbaugh shared encouraging updates on two of his edge rushers — one new arrival and one still trying to prove himself.
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Odafe Oweh to Debut After Trade to Chargers
Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?
Earlier this week, the Chargers struck a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, sending safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for linebacker Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round selection. The trade, first confirmed on Tuesday, immediately addressed critical needs for both sides.
For Baltimore, Gilman brings a steady presence in coverage and reunites with safety Kyle Hamilton, his former Notre Dame teammate. “The chemistry is already there,” one Ravens assistant told The Athletic, suggesting the move could unlock new versatility in Baltimore’s secondary.
For Los Angeles, the focus is all about reviving the pass rush. Oweh, a 2021 first-round pick out of Penn State, joins a defensive unit desperate for production with Khalil Mack on injured reserve. Harbaugh spoke highly of his new edge rusher, offering a telling comparison.
“He’s a lot like Khalil Mack,” Harbaugh told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “Direct rusher, but has speed, has depth, has ability to set the edge. Been a very good, productive young player, in the prime of his career.”
Oweh recorded 10 sacks and 39 tackles last season with Baltimore and is expected to play Sunday. His transition should be seamless, as he moves from one Harbaugh-led defensive system to another.
Kyle Kennard Still Fighting for His Role
Meanwhile, rookie fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard continues to fight for playing time amid growing competition from undrafted standout Caleb Murphy. Despite entering training camp as a projected rotational piece behind Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Bud Dupree, Kennard has struggled to stand out.
Asked what Kennard must do to earn more snaps, Harbaugh kept it simple:
“Just keep going, keep chipping away at it… Like at every position, the best players play.”
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter echoed that sentiment, adding that Kennard is “still figuring out the best way for him to rush.”
With Oweh expected to debut and Murphy carving out a bigger role, the Chargers’ pass rush is undergoing a quiet reshuffle. Whether that proves enough to slow down Miami’s explosive offense remains to be seen, but Harbaugh’s confidence in his new-look defense appears unwavering.
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