NFL Insiders Reveal The Real Reason Why Broncos Abruptly Called Off Blockbuster Trade With Chargers
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
When you woke up this morning, you may have been shocked to see that the Broncos called off a major trade with the Chargers.
On Tuesday, the Broncos had originally agreed to send a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Los Angeles for Daiyan Henley. It seemed like a huge move for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Chargers, on the other hand, were just offloading a player in the midst of their 0-8 start to the season. Well, as it turns out, Henley won’t be playing meaningful football this year.
Why Broncos Called Off Daiyan Henley Trade With Chargers
Linebacker Daiyan Henley is staying in Los Angeles after all. The Denver Broncos announced Thursday that their deal with the Los Angeles Chargers for Henley “will not be finalized.”
“The proposed trade involving linebacker Daiyan Henley will not be finalized,” the Broncos’ social media post read. “We have great respect for Daiyan as a player and person, and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
The Broncos did not make it clear why the trade for Henley fell through, but the truth soon came out.
Pro Football Talk revealed it was due to a failed physical. “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Henley did indeed fail the physical in Denver,” the publication wrote.
ESPN’s Jeff Logwold also revealed the same.
“The team did not provide a reason for why the trade was scuttled, but according to team sources, Henley was in the Broncos’ complex Wednesday and underwent a physical. When the Broncos announced they had acquired Henley just before Tuesday’s trade deadline, the team said the deal was ‘pending a physical.’”
Henley is in the midst of his final rookie contract year. Additionally, he is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent following the 2026 NFL season. He was a third-round selection by the Chargers in the 2023 NFL Draft and has developed into a key piece of their defense.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, they remain the only winless team in the NFL. Now they may lose Henley in the offseason for nothing.
