New Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary spoke to the media at his introductory press conference on Tuesday. After one year of play calling defensive coordinator experience at Western Michigan, O'Leary is ready to build off of the foundation Minter laid in his first two seasons.
Before O'Leary can really get started though, he'll have to know which players will be at his disposal in 2026. Big Chargers' free agency questions are scattered throughout the roster. Two of them are key pass rushers. Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack are currently scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March.
If it were up to Chris O'Leary, Odafe Oweh would be back with the Chargers
Oweh had his breakout season in 2025 as he had 7.5 sacks with the Chargers and an additional three sacks against New England in the Wild Card game. The former Raven also had his third consecutive season with over 50+ pressures in 2025. From both statistical and tape standpoints, last season was a huge step forward for the former first-round pick.
O'Leary shouted out Oweh unprompted as a player who flashed in his season away from the Chargers:
"I think there's a lot of really good personnel. Oweh flashed … there's certain guys on this defense that have really interesting skillsets. I think Elijah, Derwin, Cam, Khalil … all those guys are still playing at really high levels. Daiyan. I just think there's a lot of pieces we're really going to be able to work with and develop their game. When I watched them, I had a similar feel to when I was here. It's kind of the same guys just doing what they do."
O'Leary was asked a follow-up question on if he had contacted Mack or Oweh to influence their free agency decisions. He laughed and said, "I haven't gotten that far yet."
Bringing up Oweh unprompted doesn't mean that he'll definitely be kept in free agency, but it's a sign that the Chargers' defensive staff would like him back. Even with Mack's future up in the air, the traits, and skillset of the 27 year old breakout pass rusher probably make him LA's top priority on defense.
The fewer holes LA has in their EDGE room, the better. Locking down Oweh would relieve some of the positional pressure off of the Chargers' free agency and draft plans. Based on how Oweh played last season, it would also make O'Leary's job easier. Continuity is going to be key as the Chargers deal with Jesse Minter's departure over the next year.