Odafe Oweh’s four-year journey with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end. Head coach John Harbaugh traded him and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Chargers. Per ESPN‘s Kris Rhim, the linebacker, who’s going to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, had gotten a hint that his time in Baltimore was up when he wasn’t signed to an extension last year. However, the timing of the trade still shocked him as he didn’t think it was going to happen before the bye.

“I was really trying to get an opportunity to be in a new system and prove what I can to people that are really trying to see that, so I have a little animosity on my back,” he said. “But I know this is a good opportunity for me to show who I can be and what was not really able to be shown. with the Ravens. I’m happy now.”

In return, Baltimore acquired safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Along with Elijah Molden, he played a vital role in the Chargers’ defense. His range helped Derwin James Jr. to shift into a nickel role. This not only helps the Ravens’ secondary but also frees up approximately $8 million in cap space.

Apart from Gilman, they also added veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. They added him to the practice squad so they can have some stability in defense, if needed. As of now, Baltimore ranks last in the NFL in points allowed, 35.4 per game, and 31st in pass defense, with an average of 262.4 yards through the air.

And injuries have certainly not helped. Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton missed Sunday’s game with a groin injury, which forced the Ravens to start Reuben Lowery, and it resulted in a humiliating 44-10 defeat to the Houston Texans.

As part of that struggling defensive unit, Oweh, who recorded a career-high 10 sacks last season, hasn’t been able to replicate his performance this time around. He hasn’t recorded a sack yet in the first five games. His role decreased to a career-low 45% of defensive snaps this season, till now.

But it seems like Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t dwelling on those numbers too much.

Jim Harbaugh sees Khalil Mack in Odafe Oweh

When the trade came up, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was lavish in his praise for his new player, going as far as to compare Oweh to one of the league’s highest-regarded pass rushers.

“To me, he’s a lot like Khalil Mack,” Harbaugh said. “Direct rusher, has speed, has dip, has ability to set the edge. Been a very good, productive player — a young player right in the prime of his career. Those things and others.”

Oweh, who joins a deep pass-rushing group also featuring Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree, said he’s thrilled to contribute to a unit already known for its aggression and creativity.

“Khalil was cool,” Oweh said. “Obviously he’s not out there but the little time I did see him, down to Earth, laid back. You can tell he’s great.”

Mack is out with an elbow injury, which he suffered during the Chargers’ matchup against the Raiders. He’s expected to return in Week 7.

Despite Oweh’s struggles, his season has not be without positives. TruMedia has him 33rd in the NFL in pressure rate at 11%, a number that would be second among all Chargers defenders to Tuipulotu (13.6%). As a staff looking to keep up with the increasingly talented AFC West, the addition of an electrifying, athletic pass rusher in Oweh could be just the thing it needs.

For the Ravens, the trade is a defense do-over after a horrific start to the season. For Oweh, it’s personal — a chance to show John Harbaugh what he might have passed up too soon.