Chargers Seen Passing on Franchise Tag for Odafe Oweh as Decision Window Opens

Reports point to Los Angeles bypassing the tag before the March 3 deadline to keep flexibility on Oweh’s next contract.

Overview

Multiple outlets report the Chargers are not expected to franchise-tag Oweh despite the window opening today and closing March 3 at 1 p.m. PT.
The projected edge-rusher tag is about $27.8 million, and Los Angeles carries roughly $82–83 million in cap space to pursue a multi-year deal instead.
After a midseason trade from Baltimore, Oweh delivered 7.5 sacks in 12 games and set a Chargers playoff mark with three sacks and two forced fumbles in the wild-card round.
If untagged, Oweh will reach unrestricted free agency on March 11, and projections such as PFF’s suggest a rich multi-year market (for example, four years at $77 million with $40 million guaranteed).
Analysts view Baltimore as a plausible bidder due to Jesse Minter’s influence and prior ties, with other cap-strong teams like the Titans also flagged, while the Chargers weigh broader roster needs that include fellow free agent Khalil Mack.