There's really no way around it. The Los Angeles Chargers had a disappointing first two days of the legal tampering period.
They agreed to terms with Trevor Penning and Cole Strange. If these are both depth pieces for the offensive line, they are justifiable signings. If they're anything more, the Chargers are in trouble.
But at the same time, they lost their two biggest internal free agents, Zion Johnson and Odafe Oweh, to rival teams. Johnson agreed to terms on a three-year, $49.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. At that value, it seems as though the Chargers could have brought him back. Perhaps they have other plans in the draft or on the open market.
Oweh, meanwhile, agreed to terms on a massive four-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Commanders. He ultimately exceeded even the liberal, $20 million AAV projections that circled prior to free agency.
As painful as it is, it didn't necessarily make sense for the Chargers to bring him back at this number. His return was contingent upon his ability to slot in, both role-wise and financially, as a complementary pass rusher alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.
The Commanders, in their signing of K'Lavon Chaisson to complement Oweh, unintentionally justified this stance from Los Angeles.
Odafe Oweh is an exciting player, but $100 million could prove to be a massive overpay
Oweh was highly impressive through the 12 games he played with the Chargers last season. In that span, he amassed 7.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. Alongside Tuipulotu and Mack, Oweh looked more dominant than he ever has in his career.
In that sense, his payday is well-deserved.
But it must be acknowledged that Oweh was able to produce at this level because of the talent the Chargers placed alongside him. Jesse Minter was able to put Oweh in advantageous situations, drawing defensive attention off of him and simplifying his assignments.
Even his productive 2024 season, in which he amassed 10 sacks, was played opposite Kyle Van Noy.
Oweh will, therefore, be expected to be the alpha pass rusher for the Commanders. It's what they've paid him for. But Chargers fans know that, for Oweh, that could be a stretch. He needs talent around him to maximize his productivity.
Chaisson, whom the Commanders added on a one-year, $12 million contract, represents Washington's acknowledgement of this reality. Chaisson had a highly productive 2025, amassing 7.5 sacks through 16 games with the New England Patriots. Will he be enough to sufficiently complement Oweh?
That remains to be seen, but the truth remains the same. Alpha pass rushers, especially those who earn $100 million contracts, are capable of being disruptive no matter what their situation is on the field. Oweh is not that, and Los Angeles was ultimately right not to bring him back at that figure.