Jim Harbaugh accuses Broncos of exploiting 'loophole' in nixed Daiyan Henley trade

Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times on Nov 12, 2026

Published in Football

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The Chargers’ only move at the NFL trade deadline was called off Wednesday — and coach Jim Harbaugh accused the Denver Broncos of acting in bad faith.

A day after the Broncos announced that a proposed trade for Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley “will not be finalized,” Harbaugh said the Broncos tried to renegotiate terms after failing Henley’s physical, which is allowed under NFL rules when limited to draft-pick compensation. Ultimately, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement.

“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 said. “It’s one of those loopholes that the league should really look into because it sets a bad precedent and continues to set a bad precedent.”

The Broncos did not explain why the deal was abandoned, but ESPN reported the Broncos raised concerns about one of Henley’s knees after his physical. Shortly before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, the Chargers reached an agreement with the Broncos for Henley in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

“It’s almost [like] they weren’t going to pass him, if it was [for] a fourth and fifth, which was agreed upon,” Harbaugh said. “They would pass him for a fourth and a fill in the blank. I don’t know what to call that, but it is what it is.

“Medical grades should be based on pass/fail, what the medical grade is, not being used by an organization to [give] less compensation for a trade that was agreed upon.”

Chargers veteran safety Tony Jefferson was among the players who made it clear on social media they were not happy about the trade. After the trade fell through, Jefferson posted, “Had to get lil bro back to the bolt.”

Henley also posted a response to his X account.

Henley staying in L.A. is the latest twist in an 0-8 season for the Chargers that has bewildered fans and pundits alike and has left the team’s coaching staff and front office under fire.

One of the Chargers’ top defensive players and a team captain, Henley has started all eight games this season. He had a season-high 10 tackles against Houston and also intercepted a pass in that game. A third-round pick in the 2023 draft, Henley has 317 tackles and five sacks over 56 career games.

Henley was back at the Chargers’ training facility Thursday.

“He was welcomed back with open arms, and happy about that,” Harbaugh said. “You know, what that put Daiyan through, the ringer, the last couple days. It’s emotional, it’s painful. ... It should be considered by the league when they look into this loophole.”

Henley, 26, is in the final year of his rookie deal. It remains to be seen how the Chargers’ winless season, coupled with their efforts to trade him, will affect their chances of re-signing him.