Broncos trade for Chargers’ Daiyan Henley ‘will not be finalized’

The Chargers’ only move at the NFL trade deadline has been called off.

The Denver Broncos announced Wednesday night that a proposed trade for Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley “will not be finalized.”

The Broncos did not explain why the deal was abandoned, but the trade was pending the results of a physical. Henley was listed on the injury report last week with a shoulder injury, but he practiced Thursday and Friday before playing in the Chargers’ 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

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.

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. It also means the Chargers didn’t make any moves toward their future amid a lost season.

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, 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.