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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Odafe Oweh #98 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers are gearing up to reinforce their roster during free agency.
The free agent legal tampering period begins on Monday. The Chargers can be major players if they want to as they sit approximately $83 million under the salary cap. After back-to-back years of early postseason exits, Los Angeles has the opportunity to go all in on a Super Bowl run in 2026.
With several pending free agents of their own, many thought it was a strong possibility that the Chargers would utilize the franchise tag on one of them. However, as Tuesday’s deadline passed, they opted not to use it. While they could still sign any of them to contract extensions, every Chargers free agent has the right to test the open market.
Los Angeles Chargers Elect Not to Use Franchise Tag on OLB Odafe Oweh
The player that seemed most likely to receive the franchise tag had Los Angeles used it was Oweh. Fellow linebacker Khalil Mack is the only other player who had a case, and while the Chargers would like him back, using the tag on a 35-year-old isn’t smart. In Oweh’s case, however, it made all the sense in the world.
Still just 27 years old, Oweh is a former first-round draft pick who has 30.5 career sacks. After getting off to a tough start with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025, he found his footing when he was traded to the Chargers in October, going on to post 7.5 sacks in 12 games. Oweh expressed his interest in returning to Los Angeles following its playoff loss to the New England Patriots, during which he recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Chargers Are Taking Unnecessary Risk by Not Giving Oweh the Franchise Tag
GettyOdafe Oweh
The franchise tag for edge rushers is projected at $27.8 this year. That is a steep price, but if the two continued to work toward a long-term contract extension, that number would be lowered in 2026. The Chargers may want to find a cheaper option in free agency, but risk not getting the same production that Oweh provided.
Given the amount of money Los Angeles has to utilize, why not splurge a bit? Oweh is in his prime and has proven to be a dominant piece of the defense. Edge rushers are premium players and not easily replaceable. The Chargers have just five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, thus limiting their opportunities to rebuild the pass rush if they lose both Oweh and Mack.
It would also pressure them to draft based off need rather than best player available. However, it’s not out of the question that Los Angeles is still able to retain Oweh or Mack. Oweh will be in higher demand and will need to be signed quickly, but Mack may take his time. Getting at least one of the two back would be a relief, especially for Tuli Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu is the Chargers’ top pass rusher, recording 13 sacks last season. As good as he is, he needs a complementary piece to limit the amount of double-teams he could see. Oweh and Tuipulotu could be one of the most dynamic pass rushing duos in the NFL for the foreseeable future if Oweh ends up back in L.A.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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