The Los Angeles Chargers have an immediate contract situation to deal with in Tuli Tuipulotu, who could command close to $30 million annually by the time his negotiations have concluded this offseason.
But beyond that, they also need to consider the status of one of their other star defenders— off-ball linebacker Daiyan Henley. Although Henley had a down season in 2025 after dealing with an early illness and personal tragedy, he was still one of the most productive and versatile defenders in the NFL. Across 16 games, he managed to post 103 combined tackles, six QB hits, and five tackles for loss.
As he enters the final season of his rookie contract, though, there's been very little buzz about extension talks. At this point, Henley will need to reproduce his 2024 production if he wants to be paid like a star.
ESPN's latest off-ball linebacker rankings, assembled by Jeremy Fowler from votes by a host of executives, coaches, and scouts across the league, reflects this sentiment clearly. Henley was not only not included in the top-10 or the honorable mentions, but he did not receive a single vote as one of the league's premier players at his position.
Heading into a make-or-break 2026 campaign, it gives him a clear mandate.
Daiyan Henley must establish himself as a bona fide star as he enters final season of his rookie deal
In the Chargers defense, Henley is somewhat of an unsung hero. Derwin James Jr. consistently gets his flowers as the do-it-all safety, capable of both stifling opponents in coverage and delivering mind-boggling hits down in the tackle box. Tuli Tuipulotu has also started to get his flowers after his 13-sack campaign in 2025.
But Henley's importance to Los Angeles' defensive attack can fly under the radar at times. Not only is he more than viable in coverage, but under Jesse Minter, he was often moved closer to the line of scrimmage to provide simulated pressures or guard against the inside run. In a zone-heavy scheme, having a linebacker of Henley's caliber and versatility is a necessity.
As of now, Henley could likely command a contract in the range of $15 million annually. But the top players at his position— like Roquan Smith and Jack Campbell— make closer to $20 million.
Henley certainly has a chance to put himself in that company in 2026.
O'Leary's blitz package with Los Angeles likely won't be as robust as it was at Western Michigan, but it's also reasonable to expect an increase in Henley's opportunities to rush the passer. Combine that with a fully healthy campaign from him as a pure linebacker, and his production could soon start to match what Chargers fans already know about the fourth-year defender.
Henley doesn't need to convince the entire league of his star status this season. That, frankly, is often a fruitless effort.
But he does need to show the Chargers that what he accomplished in 2024 is consistently replicable. If he does, it will be hard to keep him off of next year's edition of Fowler's rankings.
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