The Los Angeles Chargers have until Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT to finalize their 53-man roster, and one name generating buzz among fans and analysts is undrafted rookie linebacker Marlowe Wax. Despite a standout preseason, ESPN’s Kris Rhim predicted that Wax may not survive the final cut, calling him “the toughest cut” of the year.
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Wax has been impossible to ignore during training camp and preseason action. In one stretch against the Cowboys, he notched back-to-back run stops before recording a strip sack recovered by Caleb Murphy, setting up a Chargers touchdown. He followed that up with a pass breakup on the next defensive series, showing his versatility and ability to impact multiple phases of the game. His play has provided fans with a glimpse of a talent that could become a key contributor if given the chance.
The linebacker position, however, is crowded. Starters Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman are locked in, with Troy Dye playing a pivotal special-teams role. Del’Shawn Phillips, who missed most of camp, returned strong in the final week, and Junior Colson is currently working through physical limitations.
Wax seemed poised to make a push with these openings, but the recent return of veteran Da’Shawn Hand from the PUP list complicates matters. Hand, signed this offseason to replace Nick Niemann, is a proven special-teams contributor with multiple productive seasons under his belt. The Chargers are unlikely to prioritize a rookie over Hand if he is healthy and ready for Week 1.
That said, Wax’s performance cannot be dismissed. While he may ultimately be waived on cutdown day, it is highly likely he lands on the Chargers practice squad, where he would be the first candidate for elevation should injuries occur. His ability to make plays both in run defense and in pass coverage, along with special-teams upside, has given the Chargers front office plenty to consider.
Preseason may be a fleeting showcase for most undrafted players, but Wax has made it clear he belongs in the conversation. The final roster decisions will be tough, but his performance has given fans reason to watch closely—and perhaps hope that this undrafted free agent’s NFL story is just beginning.
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