NOVEMBER 12: Health problems are indeed at the origin of the failure of this agreement. ESPN’s Jeff Legwold reports that the Broncos “discovered a problem” with one of Henley’s knees during his physical. Denver attempted to work out a revised version of the trade with different draft picks involved, but no new deal was ultimately finalized.
NOVEMBER 11: It turns out that two trades on the deadline will be canceled. THE Broncos will not land Daiyan Henley of the Chargers. Denver announced it canceled the trade deal – one day after the Bengals and Eagles agreed to Arnold Ebiketie collapsed – late Wednesday evening.
The Broncos and Bolts had a deal that would have sent Henley to Denver in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Those deals are pending physicals. It’s certainly possible that the Broncos’ medical staff didn’t like what they saw, but no reason for canceling the trade has surfaced.
Henley was at the Broncos’ facility Wednesday, reports Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, confirming that the Broncos have canceled the deal. This certainly indicates a problem with the four-year veteran’s physical, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
A third-round pick in 2023, Henley is a contract-year native of Los Angeles. He will now be linked to the Chargers again, being set to continue with the 0-8 team. The team’s hesitance to sell drew scrutiny ahead of the deadline, and while their stance appeared to change just before the deadline, the failure of the Henley pact will result in the winery team not collecting any assets for walk-on year talent. Henley will join Khalil Mack And Don Jackson as contract-year defenders who didn’t leave a team in distress.
While a report came out shortly before the deadline the Bolts were reluctant to part with Henley — a player considered a post-2026 piece — Tom Pelissero of The Ringer says multiple offers were received for the Washington State product. Teams don’t trade regularly within the division, making Henley’s move to Denver surprising. But putting together fourth- and fifth-round picks for a player who could hit the market in March represented solid value. Henley, 27 next week, will aim to bolster his value in Los Angeles’ defensive system – rather than Vance Joseph‘s – the rest of the way.
Henley played with a torn labrum during the 2024 season, undergoing surgery in 2025, but did not miss a start in either year (beyond Jim Harbaugh seated a handful of regulars for a Week 18 game in Denver last season). However, he appeared on Los Angeles’ injury report with a shoulder issue last week. Henley logged one limited practice and two full practices before the Bolts’ Week 9 game. Although Henley was also listed on the team’s injury report for a knee issue in Week 6, he has not missed a game due to either issue this season and has not missed a game due to injury since becoming a starter.
The Broncos will continue their Alex Singleton–Justin Strnad setup at inside linebacker. Denver re-signed Singleton and Strnad this offseason, cutting Dr. Greenlaw after a 2025 season marked by injuries. The Broncos had hoped Greenlaw would become better coverage than they had, but the three-year, $31.5 million deal didn’t have much of an impact. More than 18 months later, the Broncos will continue to rely on their remaining duo.
Broncos are thin at ILB behind their starters, with 2025 UDFA roster Jordan Turner And Karene Reid as second stringers. Henley would have provided high-end depth (or relegated Strnad to such status). The Broncos will have limited options in free agency if they choose to add another veteran at the position.
Henley has been a full-time starter for the Chargers the past three seasons, moving from the special teams ranks to Brandon StaleyIt’s the last year. His 51 tackles pace the Bolts this season, and he also led the team in stops in 2024 (147) and ’25 (103). Henley only has two lost tackles this season; he has combined for 12 from 2024 to 2025.
While the Ebiketie trade between Bengals and Eagles appeared to be scrapped due to a potential issue involving a 2027 compensatory pick, this chapter in the AFC West could be similar to the much-publicized Ravens and Raiders. Max Crosby a failed trade. Baltimore’s medical staff expressed issues with Crosby’s knee, with a long-term angle considered (somewhat controversially) the cause of the Ravens’ decision to opt out.
The Broncos would have only had a contract with Henley through the end of the season, unlike Crosby’s long-term commitment the Ravens were willing to make, but they would have held exclusive negotiating rights with him through the 2027 legal tampering period if that trade had happened. That will certainly come up again when the Broncos and Chargers meet to close out the regular season in Denver.
Gn sports
