Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh called out the Denver Broncos after a trade involving linebacker Daiyan Henley fell through.
The Chargers agreed to trade Henley for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, but Harbaugh said the Broncos wanted to change the 2028 pick compensation based on a pass-fail medical grade.
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“The Broncos based a pass-fail on a medical grade, based on whether we would take less compensation, and we wouldn’t, and we didn’t,” Harbaugh told reporters Thursday. “In my opinion, it’s one of those loopholes that the league should really look into because it sets a bad precedent, continues to set a bad precedent.”
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley returns an interception against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Broncos were given approval to revisit the terms of the deal with the Chargers after consulting with the NFL on Wednesday, according to The Athletic. The Broncos‘ medical evaluation of Henley after the trade did not match the Chargers’ evaluation before the teams agreed to terms, according to the report.
Harbaugh criticized the Broncos, saying they would have passed Henley on his medical evaluation in exchange for less compensation. He also said the NFL needs to close the loophole.
“Really, it shouldn’t be (a loophole), but apparently it is,” Harbaugh said. “That’s why it’s a loophole and teams should not have the ability to do that. I mean, it’s a medical grade. It’s a pass-fail for a medical grade. They told us they weren’t going to pass him if it was a fourth and a fifth, which was agreed upon, and they would not pass him for that. They would pass him for a fourth and a … fill in the blank. I don’t know what to call that.”
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
The 26-year-old linebacker was on the injury report in Week 9 with a shoulder injury but played 61 of the team’s 70 defensive snaps. Harbaugh said he was thrilled to have Henley back.
“He was welcomed back with open arms, and happy about that,” Harbaugh said. “What that put Daiyan through, you know, kind of the ringer for the last couple days. Yeah, it’s emotional. It’s painful. And all that’s considered and should be considered by the league when they look into this loophole.”
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley returns an interception against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. (Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Harbaugh said Henley was back in meetings Thursday. Henley is in his fourth season with the Chargers after being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Washington State.
In 56 career games, Henley has 317 combined tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and one forced fumble.