Ravens and Chargers Strike Deal Sending Odafe Oweh to Los Angeles for Safety Alohi Gilman Sources Reveal
Baltimore Ravens Trade Odafe Oweh to Los Angeles Chargers for Alohi Gilman
The Baltimore Ravens have officially announced a trade that sends edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers. In exchange, the Ravens receive safety Alohi Gilman, a decision that comes amid the Ravens’ struggles on defense this season. NFL Network was the first to break this significant development in NFL roster moves.
Challenges Faced by the Ravens’ Defense and Oweh’s Performance
Odafe Oweh, a first-round draft choice in 2021, initially showcased promise with an impressive 10-sack season. However, the 2024 season has seen him fail to make a mark, recording zero sacks through his first five games. His snap count has also dwindled, now sitting at just 45 percent of the Ravens’ defensive snaps, a stark decrease from the previous year.
Despite the Ravens exercising Oweh’s contract option for 2025 — valued at over $13 million — the team has not engaged in contract extension discussions since the offseason. This trade not only capitalizes on the opportunity to gain assets but also clears nearly $8 million in salary cap space for the Ravens, who are currently navigating financial constraints.
Impact of Oweh’s Departure on the Ravens’ Defensive Lineup
With Oweh gone, the Ravens now face questions about their pass rush effectiveness. Currently tied for the second-to-last spot in the league with only six sacks, the pressure is on the remaining edge rushers, including:
- Kyle Van Noy
- Tavius Robinson
- Mike Green
- David Ojabo
This group has combined for a mere three sacks this season, underscoring the urgency for a strategic adjustment moving forward.
Chargers’ Strategy and Addressing Key Defensive Gaps
While acquiring Oweh is a step toward enhancing the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense, it does not completely resolve their most pressing issues, particularly concerning their offensive line, which has been plagued by injuries. Star edge rusher Khalil Mack has been sidelined since Week 2, and efforts to fill that gap have fallen short, with Tuli Tuipulotu emerging as a bright spot despite the overall lack of depth in this position.
Additional context reveals that Tuipulotu has accumulated 27 pressures this season, whereas his peers have struggled to match that level of productivity. Bud Dupree has filled in as a third edge rusher, but he hasn’t successfully compensated for Mack’s absence, and rookie Kyle Kennard has not yet made a significant impact on the field.
The Role of Alohi Gilman in Baltimore’s Secondary
The Ravens are looking to bolster their secondary with the addition of safety Alohi Gilman, especially with cornerback Marlon Humphrey and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton facing injury concerns. With Humphrey expected to miss time and Hamilton’s status uncertain, Gilman’s presence is vital for providing flexibility and support within a compromised defensive backfield.
Adding Gilman, along with the recent signing of veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, opens up strategic opportunities for the Ravens, potentially enhancing their abilities against both the pass rush and run defense.
How Odafe Oweh Fits into the Chargers’ Plans
For the Chargers, acquiring Odafe Oweh brings youthful potential and in-game experience. Having recorded 10 sacks in 2024, Oweh’s familiarity with a similar defensive scheme, led by Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter — who has roots with the Ravens — positions him to integrate seamlessly into his new role.
The Chargers, having a capable safety in Alohi Gilman, leveraged their surplus to address a clear deficiency in their pass-rushing capabilities. The trade reflects an agile approach by general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh, showing their commitment to amending the team’s vulnerabilities amidst recent performance struggles.
