The Denver Broncos will not be adding help at linebacker after all. Late Wednesday night, the team announced on social media that "[t]he proposed trade involving Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley will not be finalized."
Denver had agreed on deadline day to send a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for Henley. The Broncos did not give a reason for the deal falling apart.
According to ESPN, the Broncos had concerns about Henley after he took his physical. When the trade was first announced, Denver had said it was "pending a physical." ESPN reported that even after the physical, the Broncos still wanted the trade to happen and talked with the Chargers about revised terms, but the two sides could not reach an agreement.
Henley has appeared in all eight games for the Chargers this season. He has recorded 51 tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, half a sack, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The linebacker is in the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
With the trade off, the Broncos will continue with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad as their primary linebackers, the same pairing they have used all season. Denver remains one of the top defenses in the NFL and still sits in first place in the AFC West.
Even so, the team will miss out on the boost in the middle of its defense that it expected when it agreed to the deal in the first place.
On deadline day, CBS Sports graded the Broncos an 'A-' for the move, based on the help Henley was expected to provide. Writer Zachary Pereles said at the time: "The Broncos quietly made a helpful deal, acquiring Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley for a couple of mid-round picks. Henley has plateaued a bit the past couple of seasons after a strong start, but he's an impressive athlete who could benefit from a change of scenery. Vance Joseph has gotten the most out of lots of players, and Henley has the tools to be next in line."
