Jim Harbaugh seems to be accusing the Denver Broncos of using a loophole in NFL trade rules to lowball the Chargers after their deal for linebacker Daiyan Henley fell apart.
The teams had agreed to send Henley to Denver for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder, pending a physical.
The Broncos reportedly raised concerns about Henley’s knee and sought to renegotiate the draft compensation. The Chargers declined, and the deal was called off.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Harbaugh said the Broncos tied the decision on Henley’s physical to whether Los Angeles would accept less compensation.
“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. He called it a loophole the league should examine, arguing teams should not be able to use a physical to revisit agreed-upon trade terms.
The Athletic’s Noah Furtado reported that a league source said Denver consulted the NFL on Wednesday and was told it could revisit the terms.
The source also said Henley’s medical evaluation did not match the information the Chargers had provided. NFL rules allow teams to revise draft-pick compensation after a deadline deal if both sides agree, but the teams did not reach a new agreement.
Harbaugh said Los Angeles welcomed Henley “with open arms” after the deal collapsed.
The linebacker, a Los Angeles native who attended Crenshaw High School, was drafted by the Chargers in the third round in 2023 and has become a regular starter.
Harbaugh said the uncertainty put Henley “through the ringer” over the past few days. He urged the league to consider the effect on players as it reviews the trade rules.
