Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster

The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2024 midseason trades—headlined by the acquisitions of edge rusher Odafe Oweh and offensive tackle Trevor Penning—left an immediate and lasting mark on the team’s roster, reshaping positional depth, fixing critical weaknesses, and altering the trajectory of their season. For a Chargers team that entered Week 8 with a 4–3 record and playoff aspirations, these trades were calculated bets to address longstanding gaps: a stagnant pass rush and inconsistent offensive line depth. As the dust settled, the aftermath revealed more than just new names on the roster—it showed how strategic trades can transform a team’s identity, elevate existing talent, and create new opportunities for young players. Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster explores the ripple effects of these moves, from adjusted rotations to improved on-field performance, and why they’ve become a model for how the Chargers build a competitive roster.

Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster begins with the immediate roster adjustments post-trades—a phase where the Chargers integrated new players and shifted roles to maximize their impact. After acquiring Oweh from the Baltimore Ravens (in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick) and Penning from the New Orleans Saints (for a 2025 third-round pick), the Chargers wasted no time inserting them into the lineup. Oweh, a former first-round pick with elite speed, was immediately slotted into the edge-rush rotation alongside Joey Bosa, replacing rotational pass rusher Chris Rumph II (who saw his snaps drop from 35% to 18% post-trade). Penning, meanwhile, was named the primary swing tackle, filling a void left by injured backup Trey Pipkins III and allowing the Chargers to move interior lineman Zion Johnson back to his natural right guard position. “The goal was to plug these players into spots where they could contribute right away,” said Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. “Oweh gives us a second elite pass rusher, and Penning gives us flexibility on the line—those were two things we didn’t have before the trades.” These adjustments paid off quickly: in their first game post-trades (Week 9 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs), Oweh recorded a sack and two pressures, while Penning played 12 snaps at right tackle without allowing a pressure.

A defining consequence of the trade aftermath was the elevation of the Chargers’ pass rush—a unit that went from middle-of-the-pack to one of the NFL’s most feared, directly impacting the team’s defensive identity. Before Oweh’s arrival, the Chargers ranked 24th in sacks (15 total) and relied heavily on Bosa, who was double-teamed on 42% of his snaps. Post-trade, with Oweh drawing attention from opposing tackles, Bosa’s double-team rate dropped to 28%, and his sack total jumped from 6 (in 7 games) to 12 (in the final 10 games). Oweh himself added 4.5 sacks and 18 pressures in 10 games, forming a dynamic duo that forced quarterbacks into rushed decisions. The ripple effect extended to the secondary: with more pressure on quarterbacks, the Chargers’ interception total increased from 7 (pre-trade) to 11 (post-trade), and their opponent passer rating dropped from 92.1 to 81.3. “The pass rush is the backbone of any good defense, and these trades turned ours from a weakness into a strength,” said Chargers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “Oweh and Bosa complement each other perfectly—opponents can’t focus on one without getting burned by the other. That’s the kind of balance you need to win in the AFC.”

A key aspect of Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster is the improved offensive line stability—a change that protected quarterbacks and revived the running game for the Los Angeles Chargers. Before Penning’s arrival, the Chargers’ offensive line had been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, with backup linemen allowing 8 sacks in 7 games when filling in for starters. Penning’s addition as swing tackle eliminated this vulnerability: he played 28% of offensive snaps post-trade, rotating between left and right tackle, and allowed just 1 sack in 140 pass-blocking snaps. This stability had a cascading effect: quarterback Justin Herbert’s time to throw increased by 0.3 seconds (from 2.4 to 2.7 seconds), and his sack rate dropped from 6.1% to 4.2%. The running game also benefited: with a more consistent line, Austin Ekeler’s yards per carry rose from 3.8 to 4.5, and the Chargers’ rushing touchdowns increased from 6 (pre-trade) to 10 (post-trade). “Penning gave us the reliability we needed on the line,” said Chargers offensive line coach Brendan Nugent. “When you don’t have to worry about your backup tackles, it lets the entire offense play with more confidence. That’s been a game-changer for us.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this stability wasn’t just about avoiding sacks—it was about reclaiming control of the offense and keeping Herbert healthy for the playoff push.

Another critical aftermath of the trades was the opportunity for young players to grow—a silver lining that strengthened the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster depth for the future. With Rumph II seeing fewer snaps at edge rusher, the Chargers shifted rookie linebacker Daiyan Henley into more rotational reps, allowing him to develop his pass-rushing skills (he recorded 2 sacks and 5 pressures post-trade). On the offensive line, with Penning handling swing tackle duties, undrafted free agent Blake Fisher was moved to the practice squad, where he could focus on refining his technique without the pressure of game-day snaps. “Trades aren’t just about adding talent—they’re about creating the right environment for young players to develop,” said Telesco. “Henley needed more reps to grow, and the Oweh trade gave him that. Fisher needed time to work on his craft, and the Penning trade let us give him that space. These are investments in our future.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this balance of winning now and developing young talent is crucial: it ensures the team remains competitive in the short term while building a sustainable roster for years to come. Henley’s growth, in particular, has been a bright spot—he’s emerged as a reliable special teams contributor and potential long-term starter at linebacker.

Wrapping up Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster is the long-term roster implications—how these trades have positioned the Los Angeles Chargers as a consistent playoff contender. By acquiring Oweh (under contract through 2025 with a fifth-year option) and Penning (under contract through 2025), the Chargers didn’t just fix immediate needs—they locked in key pieces for the next two seasons. Oweh’s presence ensures Bosa won’t have to carry the pass rush alone, while Penning provides long-term depth on the offensive line, a position where quality backups are hard to find. The trades also sent a message to the roster and fanbase: the Chargers are willing to invest draft capital to win, rather than waiting for young players to develop. “These trades were about more than 2024—they were about building a roster that can compete year in and year out,” said Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. “Oweh and Penning are young, talented players who fit our system, and they’ll be part of our core for years to come.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, the trade aftermath has been a resounding success: the team finished the season 9–8, secured a wildcard spot, and built a roster that’s both competitive now and poised for future success. Trade Aftermath for the Los Angeles Chargers Roster ultimately shows that in the NFL, the best trades aren’t just about adding talent—they’re about shaping a roster’s identity, fixing weaknesses, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond a single season. The Chargers’ 2024 trades have done all that, and more.