Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge

In the NFL, where edge rushers are often measured by strength or size, Odafe Oweh has redefined the position for the Los Angeles Chargers with one defining trait: elite quickness. His ability to explode off the line of scrimmage, change direction in a split second, and close on quarterbacks before they can react has turned him into one of the league’s most feared edge defenders—and a critical weapon in the Chargers’ defensive arsenal. Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge explores the physical and technical aspects of his speed, the game-changing plays it enables, and why his quickness has become a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles. For a Chargers defense that ranks among the NFL’s top 10 in sacks, Oweh’s quickness isn’t just a skill—it’s the engine that drives their pass-rush success.

Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge begins with the raw physical tools that make his speed so unique. At 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, Oweh possesses a rare combination of size and speed: his 4.39-second 40-yard dash time (tied for the fastest among active defensive ends) lets him outrun most offensive tackles, while his 1.53-second 10-yard split (a measure of initial acceleration) allows him to beat blockers off the line before they can set their feet. But it’s not just straight-line speed that sets Oweh apart—it’s his lateral agility. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks Oweh’s “change-of-direction speed” as the best among edge rushers in 2025, noting his ability to shift from a speed rush to an inside move without losing momentum. Chargers defensive line coach Giff Smith breaks it down simply: “Odafe doesn’t just run fast—he thinks fast. He reads the tackle’s first step, adjusts his approach, and explodes past them before they can correct. That’s the difference between good speed and game-changing speed.” This combination was on display in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when Oweh beat Jaguars tackle Cam Robinson with a quick outside rush, then cut back inside to sack Trevor Lawrence—all in less than 2 seconds.

Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge delves into the signature plays that have made his quickness legendary among Chargers fans. None was more memorable than his Week 8 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he recorded three sacks—all of which showcased a different facet of his speed. On the first sack, Oweh exploded off the line, beat Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor to the outside, and sacked Patrick Mahomes before he could complete a three-step drop. On the second, he used a quick inside spin move to slip past Taylor, closing on Mahomes in 1.8 seconds. On the third, he chased down Mahomes from the backside, using his long speed to catch the quarterback after a 10-yard scramble. The performance earned Oweh AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and solidified his status as a top-tier edge rusher. “That game was Odafe in a nutshell,” said Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks. “He was everywhere—beating tackles off the line, chasing quarterbacks down, making plays that no one else on the field could make. His quickness isn’t just fast—it’s relentless.”

Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge examines how his speed transforms the Chargers’ entire pass rush, creating opportunities for his teammates. When Oweh lines up on the edge, opposing offenses are forced to commit extra resources to stop him—often sending a tight end or running back to block him, which leaves other Chargers defenders (like Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack) in one-on-one matchups. In Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, for example, the Browns assigned tight end David Njoku to block Oweh on a third-down play; Oweh still beat Njoku with a quick speed rush, forcing Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to scramble, and Bosa sacked Watson as he tried to escape. This “double-team distraction” has helped the Chargers rank fifth in the NFL in team sacks (38) through 14 weeks. For the Los Angeles Chargers, Oweh’s quickness isn’t just about his own stats—it’s about making the entire defense better. “Odafe draws so much attention that it opens doors for the rest of us,” Bosa said in a recent press conference. “Offenses can’t focus on stopping me or Khalil because they’re too busy worrying about Odafe beating their tackle in 1.5 seconds. That’s the value of his speed.”

Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge explores the technical work that refines his natural speed into a consistent weapon. While Oweh’s raw speed is 天赋 (talent), the Chargers’ coaching staff has helped him turn it into a repeatable skill. Smith works with Oweh daily on “first-step timing”—drilling him to read the offensive tackle’s stance and explode off the line at the exact moment the ball is snapped. Oweh also practices “speed-to-power” transitions, learning to use his initial quickness to create leverage, then shift to power to push past tired blockers. Additionally, the Chargers’ strength and conditioning staff has tailored a program for Oweh to improve his hip flexibility and core strength—key components of maintaining speed while changing direction. “Speed without technique is just running,” Smith said. “We’ve helped Odafe turn his speed into a tool—something he can use on every play, against every tackle. That’s why he’s so consistent.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this technical refinement has been critical: Oweh’s sack rate has increased from 0.5 sacks per game in 2024 (his first season with the Chargers) to 0.7 sacks per game in 2025, a 40% improvement.

Odafe Oweh's Quickness on the Los Angeles Chargers Edge wraps up with the long-term impact of his speed on the Chargers’ defense—and his legacy as an edge rusher. At 25 years old, Oweh is entering his prime, and the Chargers have locked him up with a four-year contract extension, ensuring he’ll be a cornerstone of their defense for years to come. His quickness has also become a defining identity for the Chargers’ pass rush, drawing comparisons to legendary speed rushers like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller. For fans, Oweh’s speed has become a highlight reel staple—videos of his sack celebrations (often featuring him outrunning teammates to the end zone) regularly go viral on social media, with fans coining the nickname “The Flash” to honor his speed. “Odafe’s quickness isn’t just fun to watch—it’s winning football,” said Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. “He changes the way offenses play, he makes his teammates better, and he gives us a chance to win every game. That’s the kind of player every team wants.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Odafe Oweh’s quickness on the edge is more than a skill—it’s a competitive advantage. As he continues to refine his craft, his speed will only become more dangerous, ensuring the Chargers’ pass rush remains one of the NFL’s most feared for years to come.