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Foxborough, MA January 11, 2026 New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) gets sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) in the first quarter during the AFC wild card game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Sunday, January 11, 2026. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers may have seen their postseason end in frustration, but one player ensured his performance would not be forgotten. Pass rusher Odafe Oweh delivered a dominant showing in the Chargers’ playoff loss against the New England Patriots, repeatedly disrupting the opposing offense and keeping Los Angeles competitive in a game where the Chargers’ offense struggled to find any rhythm.
Odafe Oweh Shines in Chargers’ Playoff Loss Despite Team Struggles
Oweh finished the game with three sacks, one forced fumble, and three pressures, setting a single-game postseason franchise record for sacks. Time and time again, he found himself in the backfield, collapsing pockets and forcing hurried decisions from Drake Maye. At several points, it looked like Oweh was the only guy playing at full throttle, moving with urgency while the rest of the team struggled to match his energy.
After the game, Oweh expressed his frustration. “I feel like we’re a better team. And any other day, we beat them. We just ain’t have it today, so that’s the more annoying part.”
Even in defeat, Oweh’s performance served as a reminder of how impactful a dominant edge rusher can be when it matters most.
Free Agency Looms As Oweh’s Market Value Soars
Oweh, 27, now enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and one of the top edge rushers available on the market.
His playoff performance only strengthened his case, as teams across the league are in need of pass rushers who can single-handedly turn the tide of a game. A three-sack performance, combined with a forced fumble and consistent pressure against one of the top teams in the playoffs, is the kind of résumé booster that general managers notice.
Given how impactful he was in a game where few Chargers stood out in a positive way, losing Oweh in free agency would leave a significant void on the edge. However, he’s made it clear where he wants to play.
“Man, I want to be here, so it’s up to the big guys upstairs,” Oweh said. “Same situation when I was with the Ravens…but I want to be here. I feel like we have a great team, great coaching staff, fans, so we’ll see how it goes.”
It’ll be great to bring Oweh back, but it won’t come cheap. With his monster playoff performance, he could be looking to sign a contract from anywhere around $17-22 annually.
That shouldn’t be a problem for the Chargers, as they are projected to enter free agency with the most cap space in the NFL at $103.58 million, according to Over the Cap.
Oweh wants to stay as a Charger, and the organization has the money. Now, it’s up to GM Joe Hortiz to make sure he keeps him in Los Angeles.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. More about Isaac Zuniga
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