I have a question, and it's one that needs to be asked of myself as well as anyone else who has been creating content around the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.

We've talked about the team needing help on the defensive edge, an attempt to both replace the pass rushing impact of Odafe Oweh and create a plan for what happens to the team's pass rush when Khalil Mack is no longer on the team.

We've discussed the Chargers' biggest weakness in 2025, that being the lack of talent and depth on the offensive line, and how they still have not really figured out who the starting guards are going to be.

Plenty of analysts have included interior defensive line as one of the team's needs this offseason, even after the team signed Dalvin Tomlinson to replace Da'Shawn Hand, and I am assuming that's tied to the Odafe Oweh situation (more talent in the middle of the line makes it harder to focus on stopping the edge rushers).

I have written at great length about what the team's passing attack is missing and how the WR group might change to give Justin Herbert more options.

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said at a press conference last week that outside cornerback is a place where the team wants to get better and deeper, which makes some sense.

This all leads me to my question:

In the case of this specific defense, I'm talking about inside linebackers. 

Daiyan Henley is entering his 4th season and played almost every snap at one of the inside linebacker spots in 2025 (91.36% of defensive snaps, to be exact). He also took noticeable steps back in his run defense and pass coverage, which could've been due to focusing more on rushing the passer.

At the other inside linebacker spot, the Chargers have.....a mixed bag. Troy Dye (63.66% of defensive snaps) is fine. He was not a starter before the Chargers signed him and his biggest opportunities come when Denzel Perryman can't play, but he has not proven himself to be anything more than league average.

Perryman (29.27% of defensive snaps) is a problem, in my opinion. He's a vital part of the team's run defense but his ability to do anything else has greatly diminished over 11 years in the NFL. His penchant for dirty play led to a suspension at the end of last season. He also hasn't been able to suit up for more than 12 games since 2021.

The team has some options, I suppose, in undrafted Marlowe Wax and veteran special teamer Del'Shawn Phillips. I don't think either of them can be counted on to be a starter on this defense.

So, the Chargers plan opposite Henley seems to be the same plan they had last year. This is a weakness of the defense and one that could've been solved via free agency. It also won't surprise me if the team sneaks in a pick for a linebacker during the 2026 NFL Draft.