Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers

For NFL linebackers, the jump from rookie to reliable contributor often takes time—but Daiyan Henley has accelerated that timeline in his two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. When the Chargers selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they saw potential in his athleticism and football IQ; now, Henley has transformed that potential into consistent production, emerging as a key piece of the team’s defensive core. His progress isn’t just measured in stats (though his 89 tackles and 8 pass breakups in 2025 speak volumes)—it’s in the subtle improvements: faster route recognition, smarter tackling, and a better understanding of how to disrupt opposing offenses. Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers breaks down how he’s grown from a developmental prospect to a foundational player, and what his evolution means for the Chargers’ defense.

Henley’s first major step forward came in his ability to master the Chargers’ defensive scheme—a complex system that requires linebackers to handle multiple roles, from stopping the run to covering tight ends. As a rookie, Henley often hesitated when reading plays, leading to missed assignments or overcommitting to tackles. But after a full offseason of film study and reps with the first-team defense, he’s become a student of the game. He now pre-snap identifies offensive formations, anticipates play calls, and adjusts his positioning to plug gaps before they open. “Daiyan went from asking questions every rep to answering them for younger players,” said Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill. A prime example came in Week 4 of 2025, when he read a Raiders’ run formation, shifted to the weak side, and made a tackle for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1, ending a potential scoring drive. This growth in football IQ has turned Henley from a “project” into a trusted starter, with Hill noting, “We don’t have to limit his snaps anymore—he can handle any situation we throw at him.” Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers emphasizes that understanding the scheme was the first domino to fall in Henley’s development, unlocking his physical tools.

Another area of dramatic progress for Henley is his coverage ability—a skill that’s become essential in today’s pass-heavy NFL. As a rookie, he struggled to stay with quick tight ends or slot receivers, often getting burned on crossing routes or seam routes. But he dedicated his 2024 offseason to improving this weakness: he worked with cornerbacks on mirroring techniques, practiced backpedaling drills to boost agility, and studied film of elite coverage linebackers like Bobby Wagner to learn their timing. The work paid off: in 2025, Henley has allowed just a 54% completion rate in his coverage, down from 68% as a rookie, and has broken up 8 passes (more than his total from his first season). In Week 8 against the Bills, he shadowed tight end Dawson Knox for the entire game, limiting him to 2 catches for 18 yards and breaking up a potential touchdown pass in the end zone. “Coverage used to be a liability for me, but now it’s a strength,” Henley said in a post-game interview. “I just put in the work every day to get better.” This progress has given the Chargers more flexibility on defense, allowing them to play more nickel packages without sacrificing coverage at linebacker. Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers highlights that turning a weakness into a strength is what separates good players from impact players.

Henley’s progress has also made him a more consistent run stopper—a role that’s critical to the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive success. As a rookie, he relied too much on his speed to make tackles, often overshooting ball carriers or getting blocked out of plays. Now, he uses a mix of strength and technique: he sheds blocks by placing his hands correctly on linemen’s shoulders, maintains gap discipline to avoid getting pulled out of position, and wraps up ball carriers to prevent extra yards. His tackle efficiency has jumped from 78% in 2023 to 91% in 2025, and he’s recorded 12 tackles for loss this season (up from 5 as a rookie). In a Week 6 win over the Broncos, Henley made 11 tackles, 3 of which were for loss, and held running back Javonte Williams to just 2.8 yards per carry. “Daiyan doesn’t just make tackles—he makes tackles that stop drives,” said Chargers defensive line coach Giff Smith. “He’s become the kind of run stopper we can build our defense around.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this progress is vital: their run defense ranked 22nd in 2023, but with Henley’s improvement, it’s climbed to 11th in 2025, making them harder to beat in short-yardage situations. Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers shows that Henley’s growth as a run stopper has been a key factor in the Chargers’ defensive turnaround.

Off the field, Henley’s progress as a leader has also been instrumental to the Los Angeles Chargers’ team culture. As a rookie, he was quiet in the locker room, preferring to listen rather than speak up. But now, he’s become a vocal presence, especially for younger defensive players. He hosts weekly film sessions with rookie linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, breaking down plays and sharing the tips he’s learned. He also leads pre-practice drills, ensuring that everyone is focused and executing correctly. “Daiyan leads by example first, but now he’s not afraid to speak up when something’s off,” said veteran safety Derwin James. “That’s the kind of leader we need on defense.” Henley’s leadership was on full display in Week 10, when the Chargers trailed the Browns at halftime. He gathered the defense in the locker room, reminded them of their preparation, and challenged them to step up in the second half. The Chargers went on to hold the Browns to just 7 second-half points, winning 24-17. “He’s not just a better player—he’s a better teammate,” said head coach Jim Harbaugh. For the Los Angeles Chargers, Henley’s growth as a leader has helped foster a culture of accountability and growth, making the defense more cohesive and resilient. Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers underscores that leadership progress is just as important as on-field skill, especially for a young team chasing a playoff spot.

Looking ahead, Henley’s progress shows no signs of slowing down—and that’s great news for the Los Angeles Chargers. With his combination of coverage skills, run-stopping ability, and leadership, he’s poised to become one of the NFL’s top linebackers in the coming years. The Chargers have already recognized his value, signing him to a contract extension in 2025 that reflects their belief in his future. “Daiyan is exactly the kind of player we want to build around,” said general manager Tom Telesco. “He’s talented, hardworking, and he buys into our culture.” For Henley, the progress is a result of never being satisfied. “I still have a lot to learn,” he said. “Every game, every practice, I’m trying to get 1tter. That’s the mindset that got me here, and it’s the mindset that will keep me going.” As the Chargers push for a Super Bowl, Henley’s continued growth will be critical—whether it’s shutting down a top tight end, making a key tackle on fourth down, or leading the defense in a big moment. Daiyan Henley's Progress with the Los Angeles Chargers concludes that Henley’s journey from rookie to impact player is a testament to hard work and dedication—and a sign that the Los Angeles Chargers have found a defensive cornerstone for years to come.